Life of St. Francis Solanus, apostle of Peru

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ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS,

APOSTLE OF PERU.

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OF.

St. Francis Solanus,

APOSTLE OF PERU.

BY A

PEIEST OP THE OKDER OF ST. FRAXCIS,

Province of the Sacred Heart.

Cum ^ermtssu Sujuriorutm

New York, Cincinnati, Chicago :

BENZIGER BROTHERS,

POINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE.

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Copyright, i883, nY BRfr,lnu r,

ERS

PREFACE.

DEV. Alban Butler thus writes of St. Francis
-*-** Solanus, whose life is given in the following
pages :

"An extraordinary humility, contempt of himself,
of worldly vanity and applause, self-denial, obedi-
ence, meekness, patience, love of silence, recollec-
tion and prayer, both mental and vocal, formed his
character.'''

" His whole life," says Alvarez de Paz, " may
be regarded as a holy, uninterrupted course of zeal-
ous action ; yet it was at the same time a constant
and most fervent prayer, abounding in heavenly
lights and consolations."

The assertion of these two writers will be fully
demonstrated in the life of the great Saint and
Apostle of Peru. We will endeavor to show, im-
perfectly though it may be, that Solanus was
specially chosen by divine Providence, who watched
over, and directed him, so that he entered the great
field of labor in the New World. We shall also see
how faithfully our Saint cooperated with the favors
and graces so abundantly showered upon him from
above, thereby reaping an abundant harvest for the
honor of God and for the salvation of souls. We

li PREFACE.

should learn from this to have unbounded confidence
in God, and to correspond faithfully with the gra-
ces bestowed.

We shall in this book follow St. Francis from his
birth to his death, seeing, as in a picture, his vir-
tues, miracles and mission in the Church.

The author will consider himself amply rewarded
for the labor bestowed upon this work, if the won-
ders of God, as revealed in, and through his Saints,
shall be more widely spread ; and if the clergy,
both secular and regular, especially those who labor
in the missionary field, are incited to persevere
faithfully in their glorious work, considering the
hardships endured by the first missionaries in the
New World.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER. PAGE .

I.— Birth and Youth of St. Francis Solanus 1

II. — He enters the Order of St. Francis.— His

Novitiate and Profession 8

III.— He Continues his Studies and is Ordained

Priest 14

IV.— St. Francis Solanus as Priest and Superior 17

\r.— He leaves Spain and becomes the Apostle of

Peru, South America , 27

VI.— labors in Peru 39

VIL— St. Francis Solanus in Tucuman, Chako,

Paraguay, etc 50

VIII.— St. Francis Solanus in Paraguay, Uraguay, etc. 59

IX. — Last Years in Tucuman 63

X.— St. Francis Solanus leaves Tucuman, Lima and

Truxillo 72

XL— Death of St. Francis Solanus 91

XII.— Occurrences at the Death and Burial of St.

Francis Solanus 95

XIII. — Miracles wrought at tbe Death and Burial of

#- St. Francis Solanus 99

XIV.— General Opinion Regarding the Sanctity of St.

Francis Solanus , 103

XV. — Miracles wrought through the Intercession of

St. Francis Solanus, after his Death 108

XVI.— Beatification and Canonization 112

Life of St. Francis Solanus.

CHAPTER I.

Birth and Youth of St. Francis Solanus.

Among the many Saints who adorned the Church
during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a
conspicuous place should be given to St. Francis
Solanus. He was born in Montilla, Priego County,
Andalusia, in the Diocese of Cordova, Spain, March
10th, 1549.

His father, Matthew Sanchez, and his mother,
Anna Ximenez. of the renowned Ximenez family,
were both of noble extraction. They were well
known and highly honored, not only on account of
their noble birth, but still more for their virtue and
piety. The father of our Saint was so highly es-
teemed by his fellow-citizens that they frequently
appointed him head of the Supreme Court, as well
as Mayor of the city.

Anna Solanus was worthy to become the mother
of a Saint. She had a special devotion to St. Fran-
cis of Assisi. Shortly before his birth, she recom-
mended herself and her offspring to the protection
of this great Saint. Therefore, with a joyous,

2 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

grateful heart she welcomed the birth of her son,
the second of the three children with which our
Lord blessed her.

As proof of her gratitude, she desired him to be
named Francis. His father willingly complied with
this request, and the infant was baptized on the day
of his birth, at St. James' the parochial Church of
Montilla.

We generally see pious parents blessed with duti-
ful children, while ungodly parents are continually
complaining of the misdeeds of their little ones,
seeming to forget that the fault is very often all
their own. If they do not fear and obey the Lord,
how can they expect their children to do so ?

After his baptism, the little Francis was taken to
his mother, who pressed him to her bosom, receiving
him as a little angel, now that he had been purified
and regenerated in the waters of baptism, being
thereby cleansed from original sin, made a member
of the Church of God, and an heir of heaven. She
had loved him before as her son, but now still more
as a child of God. Most tenderly did she watch
over her beloved one, awaiting the earliest dawn of
reason to implant in his young mind the funda-
mental truths of our holy religion.

The teachings and example of such a mother pro-
duced a most fruitful harvest. The young Francis
soon proved by his whole conduct that although in
the world, "he was not of it ;" that a high and noble
destiny awaited him, since he was one day to be en-
rolled among the Saints who adorn the Church.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. O

His early years passed under the watchful eye of
loving parents. When he was old enough to leave
home, he was sent to a college at Montilla, under
the direction of the famous Jesuits. He was in-
debted to their wise care and instruction for the
thorough education he received, not only in the
liberal arts, but still more in that higher science
that leads to sanctity. His advancement in virtue
and piety kept pace with his progress in age and
earthly wisdom. As we read in the Gospel that
4 'Jesus increased in wisdom and age and in grace
with God and men" (Luke, 3-52) , the same may with
truth have been said of our beloved Saint. Even
while very young, the influence exerted over his
companions was so great, that none of them dared
utter an unbecoming word in his presence, but
would say: "Hush! Hush! Solanus is com-
ing."

Such is the power of sanctity ; it almost uncon-
sciously gains respect and obedience. There is no
pretense in true piety, every word and act proves
that God constantly dwells in the heart of the truly
pious person. The very presence of the good and
holy is sufficient to silence the worldly, frivolous
conversation of those who have forsaken the path of
virtue to follow the false maxims of the world. One
really pious student may be as great a blessing to
a college as Joseph was to the house of Putiphar.

St. Francis Solanus became for the students at
Montilla as great a treasure as St. Bernardine of
Sienna had been to the pupils in his college, or, as

4 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

St. Maurice, of Portu Mauritio, and St. Aloysius
were afterwards to be to those of Rome.*

Francis was not only an obedient son, docile
scholar and true friend, but even in his youth a zeal- '
ous promoter of the honor and glory of God, ear-
nestly defending His interests on all occasions.

One day he was walking with some of his fellow-
students along the bank of the river Aquilar. They
talked for some time about their studies, failures,
successes, etc., when a slight dispute arose between
two of them. Francis tried to check the quarrel,
begging them for the love of God to desist, but all
in vain. From quick, sharp words the two boys
soon passed to blows. Francis rushed between the
combatants just in time to receive a severe blow
from one of the opponents. The quarrel ceased at
once ; some of the boys urged Francis to take
revenge for the injury received, but he meekly re-
plied : "Be satisfied, I am not injured ; in making
these two enemies friends I have gained what I
desired and there let it end."

On another occasion Francis was walking beyond
the city limits in an open field, when he suddenly

♦Note.— Allow me here to remark that parents and guardians can-
not be too careiul in selecting an institution for the education of
their children. The knowledge acquired lrom bocks is by no means
the chief, or only thing to be eonbidered; far more is necessary.
The heart must be carefully trained, piety cultivated, good habits
formed and strengthened, and the whole inner man renewed and
awakened to the influences of Divine Gr ce. No one can deny that
to train the heart aright, religious truths must be instilled; that
piety cm be nurtured only by frequent and fervent p' ayer; and
good habits formed only by the advice and example of virtuous
teachers and companions. It is, alas, too often the case that chil-
dren leave their home for some famous school or college, pure and
innocent, but return in a f^w months, perhaps, their virtuous prin-
ciples having suffered shipwreck from the iniluence of bad associates.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 5

came upon two men preparing to fight a duel. lie
cried out at once : "Gentlemen! stop! stop!"

The duelists paused, not expecting so sudden an
interruption. Advancing towards the combatants,
he made an irresistible appeal, saying: "For the
love of God do not engage in such a dangerous con-
flict, for there is no one present to interfere or take
the part of either, consequently you will no doubt
wound or kill each other, causing not only temporal
but eternal death. Peace then be with you, gentle-
men."

The duelists looked with astonishment at this
pious, humble youth, then at each other, and putting
their swords in the scabbards, said : "Young man,
you have conquered ; henceforth there will be peace
and reconciliation between us." They then embraced
each other, and friendship was restored. Thus
Solanus became the angel of peace, showing how
much may be accomplished by the good advice of
one pious person. Were there more such advisers,
how much enmity between relatives and friends
might be prevented,

St. Francis faithfully and successfully continued
his studies, storing his mind with heavenly wis-
dom as well as with earthly science, knowing that
to progress only in the latter would in the end prove
a loss rather than a gain, as the great St. Bernard
has so truly said. He knew that : "A young man,
according to his way, even when he is old, he will
not depart from it." (Prov. 22-6) . And that if he
hopes for the grace of final perseverance, he must

6 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

spend his youth in holiness and in the fear of the
Lord. Knowing where to obtain the choicest
graces, and most efficacious assistance to ward off
the dangers incident to youth, especially when with
other students, Francis had frequent recourse to
prayer and the Sacraments. In his boyhood he was
truly "a child of prayer," as in his manhood he
proved to be a man of prayer. Those who saw him
frequently and devoutly approach the Sacraments
were greatly edified.

His leisure time was not passed, like that of many
students, in idleness, but devoted to some useful
occupation. His father owned a garden near Mon-
tilla. Much of his free time was spent here, culti-
vating the flowers and vines, while at the same time,
he was often heard sweetly singing the praises of
our Lord, accompan}Ting himself on the violin,
which he played quite skillfully, as he had a decided
talent for music. In this sweet solitude, away from
the noise and tumult of the world, were passed his
happiest days, his thoughts and desires ascending
with his voice far beyond this earth, even to the
throne of God himself.

In this manner young Solanus passed his time as
a student, preparing for the great apostleship that
awaited him.

This is indeed the most important period of life to
young persons, especially for those destined to the
ecclesiastical state. It is a time of preparation, of
trials and temptations. They are in the society of
persons of different tastes, habits and creeds ; being

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 7

3ret young they will be more or less affected by these
varied influences, and may easily lose the virtue and
honor they possessed when leaving home. Hence
they cannot be too careful in their choice of associ-
ates ; one bad companion may do more harm than
several virtuous ones can accomplish for good. So
naturally do we incline to evil. Idleness should be
specially avoided, this being the father of mischief.
Every hour should have its allotted duties of
prayer, study or recreation ; by punctually and faith-
fully conforming to this routine, there will be little
danger of forming friendships injurious to one's
character. Free time improperly spent has often
caused a student's ruin. Those preparing for the
priesthood, should above all others follow the ex-
ample of our Saint, by acquiring the spirit of prayer
and the habit of ever walking in the presence of
God. They must seek to possess real virtue, not
the appearance of it ; avoid all singularity in word
and act, which often gives others a wrong idea of
virtue, even making it appear ridiculous. Give to
every duty its proper time and place, whether it re-
late to prayer, study or amusement. True virtues
always command respect and esteem, while pretended
ones are condemned and despised.

CHAPTER II.

Solanus enters the Order of St. Francis. — His
Novitiate and Profession.

We can readily admit that the life young Francis
led as a student was a novitiate and preparation for
future sanctity. His whole conduct proved that he
had been specially chosen by God for the holy priest-
hood, to labor in His vineyard and accomplish a
great and notable work for His honor and glory.

Having always desired to advance in Christian
perfection, and to be forgotten by the world, he soon
responded to the call of a religious life, and applied
for admission at the Monastery of the Franciscan
Fathers living in Montilla.

He had frequently visited their little church, they
had often been at his father's house, begging for pro-
visions, but above all he had been deeply impressed
and edified, by the holy example of these religious,
full of fervor. Their holy leader St. Peter, of Al-
cantara, had exchanged earth for heaven a few years
previous, leaving his disciples as their richest legacy
his saintly, apostolic spirit.

Among these religious, Francis was convinced he
could obtain that which he had so long desired —
viz : seclusion from the world and frequent inter-
course with God in holy prayer. His parents gave
their consent and blessing, knowing the extraordi-
nary gifts and graces with which Heaven had en-

[8]

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. »

riched their son. They ^ell kaew that the vocation
to a certain state of life must come from God, and
to resist that call would be to incur the anger of
God, bringing down a curse instead of a blessing
upon both parents and children. Being themselves
devout and fervent Christians, they fully realized
what a blessing it would be to have one of their
children consecrated to God in the religious state,
one who would daily intercede for his parents or
other relations by earnest prayers or the Holy Sac-
rifice of the Mass.

The fathers of the Monastery having known Sola-
nus for many years, readily admitted him among
their number. He received the holy habit at the
age of twenty, in the year 1569. Having been a
model of all virtues to those who knew him as a
secular, he became also a bright example to the re-
ligious in the Monastery. Even the oldest and most
fervent among them were filled with surprise and
admiration at the humility and obedience of this
young novice ; his love for retirement, prayer and
mortification were equally great.

From the day of his admission to the Order, he
could in truth exclaim with St. Paul, that he was
crucified to the world, and the world to him. His
practices of penance and mortification would seem
incredible, were they not so well attested by his biog-
raphers ,

In addition to the habit, which in his Province was
of very coarse material, he always wore a haircloth ;
his bed was the hollow of a tree, and the pillow, a

10 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

piece of wood. During Lent and Advent his auster-
ities were greatly increased, his short rest being
taken on a few fagots thrown upon the floor of his
narrow cell, which was often sprinkled with the blood
caused by his use of the discipline. It might truly be
said that he observed a continual fast, as he was
never seen to eat meat, fish or eggs except on Festi-
vals, and then onty through obedience.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Lent,
his repast consisted of bread and water ; never did
he take warm food on any Friday of the year. Dur-
ing Lent, except in sickness, he wore no shoes, thus
to honor the Passion of our Lord. His example so
edified the other Religious that they all tried to imi-
tate him. (All we have said of the religious life of
Francis is fully confirmed by the testimony of Father
Petrus, of Ojeda, his novice-master, and of Father
A nthony,of Alicante, his companion in the novitiate.)

It is true that the lives of the Saints are not al-
ways to be imitated in every respect, but rather to
be admired, and serve as occasions for humbling our-
selves, that we are so far removed from their sanc-
tity. It is nevertheless a certain truth, that without
mortification a Christian, and much more a Religious,
will make little or no progress in virtue ; while he
who loves mortification, and subdues his sensual ap-
petites, will more readily conquer his other evil
inclinations.

"Bridle gluttony," says Thomas a Kempis, "and
thou shalt the easier restrain all carnal inclinations. "
(Bk. L, Chap. 19.)

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 11

Novices will find an example worthy of imitation
in the life of our Saint, making his obedience, hu-
mility, mortification, and love for prayer the mode]
of their own, as far as Superiors permit.

It is true that some Religious who were fervent
during the time of their probation, afterwards became
luke-warm ; but that tepid novices become fervent
Religious, seldom if ever happens.

Too much care cannot be taken in training novices ;
their own future welfare as well as that of the com-
munity to which they belong, must depend upon
these future members of the Order.

St. Bonaventure has truly said, that Communities
should be slow in admitting new members ; must
quickly dismiss those who are not fitted for the
Order, but be very solicitous in the well-training of
novices.

St. James says: "If any man think himself to
be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving
his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (St.
James, 1-26.)

Our Saint well knew and practised this teaching
of the Apostle. His piety being not vain, but true ;
his conversation always accorded therewith. Never
would he speak at forbidden times or places ; the
subject was always edifying, for although he did not
make the time of recreation an occasion for spiritual
colloquys, yet he well understood the difficult art of
mingling pious thoughts with ordinary conversation,
so that all would derive benefit therefrom both spi-
ritually and mentally. For this reason his society

12 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

was eagerly sought at recreation, not only by the
novices, but also by the older Religious, knowing
from experience how beneficial such intercourse
would be for them.

Relaxation of some kind is necessary even in the
strictest communities, but it can and should be made
a means of edification and profit, as well as pr.ayer
and other more serious duties.

Religious should never forget the dignity and
sanctity of their state. He who knows how to en-
tertain his companions during recreation as a true
Religious, becomes a blessing to all, causing them to
serve God cheerfully and willingly. Those only
who are detached from the world and have the true
Community spirit will be able to do this.

Having passed his novitiate in so holy and edify-
ing a manner, he longed for the day on which he
could consecrate himself entirely to God. In order
that he might be fully prepared for this, the most
solemn act of his life, he made a long and fervent
retreat before his holy profession. What emotions
of joy, love and gratitude must have filled his heart,
while uttering the vows and giving himself as a hol-
acaust into the hands of his Superior and through
him to Almighty God ; this we may perhaps imag-
ine, but cannot describe, for into the deep recesses
of a heart wholly united to God no mortal eye can
penetrate.

His profession was a complete sacrifice, an entire
consecration.

His Fellow-religious understood even then what a

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 13

treasure they had received, when Francis Solanus of
Montilla offered his solemn vows to the Almighty.
They listened in profound silence and awe, their
hearts swelling with joy as he pronounced the for-
mula of Profession. No doubt many an eye was
moistened with tears as they heard the solemn
wrords :

"I, Brother Francis, vow and promise to Almighty
God, to Mary, the Blessed Virgin, to our Holy
Father, St. Francis, to all the Saints and to you,
Father, to observe all the days of my life, the rule
of the Friars-Minor, which was approved by Pope
Honorius III., and to live in obedience, without pro-
perty and in chastity."

Francis could now truly say: "lam thine, O
Lord, and Thou art mine." This happy event took
place on the Feast of St. Mark, 1570, in the small
church of the Friars, at Montilla.

CHAPTER III.

Solanus continues his Studies and is ordained Priest.

Having now made his vows, Francis remembered
the words of our Lord : "No man putting his hand
to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom
of God" (Luke 9, 62).

He endeavored, therefore, to advance in the way of
perfection by the constant practice of virtue, prayer
being the principal means for attaining this end.
He, therefore, made this his chief study during the
time immediately following his novitiate.

He was present day and night in the choir during
the divine offices. On entering the church he adored
our Lord by repeating the well-known prayer of St.
Francis of Assisi :

"We adore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, here and
in all churches of the whole world ; and we bless
Thee, because by Thy holy cross Thou didst re-
deem the world."

During the time of prayer he often appeared as if
raised above the things of earth and already holding
converse with the angels in heaven.

Having thus spent the three years after his novi-
tiate in the holy excercise of prayer, he was sent by
his Superiors to a little Convent called " Our Lady
of Loretto," near Seville, there to study Logic,
Philosophy, the Sacred Scriptures, and prepare to
enter the holy priesthood. Religious discipline was

[14]

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 15

exactly observed in this Convent, so that Solanus
desired very much to remain here, the more so as he
observed the saintly and austere life of the Superior*

On his arrival, he at once continued his former
austerities, taking a new hair-cloth and using an
iron shirt that he found there.

Although the cells were very small and inconveni-
ent, still they were not sufficiently so to satisfy his
love of mortification, therefore at his own request,
he was permitted to build one according to his own
taste near the belfry. A novice aided in the work ;
it was very narrow having only one opening to ad-
mit a little light. In this hermitage were passed his
happiest moments, devoted to prayer and study.
Here he would retire after the lectures on Philoso-
phy and the Sacred Scriptures, studying the science
of the Saints, that true philosophy which unfolds
the principles of the natural and supernatural world.
Doing this in the right way and with the proper
spirit ; seeking the truth and finding it, he advanced
rapidly. in wisdom and sanctity.

Solanus followed the advice of our seraphic
Father, St. Francis, which' teaches that study should
never destroy the spirit of prayer. Consequently
the longer he studied, the more humble did he be-
come, and the more did he increase in love for God
and charity towards his neighbor. An occurrence at
this time will prove the truth of what has just been
said.

One day on entering the kitchen he noticed the
boiling water in a kettle and said to the cook :

16 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

"Tell me, brother, why does the water throw up
such hot bubbles as it boils ?"

"Simply because there is a fire beneath, " an-
swered the brother.

"Oh!" continued Solanus in a low tone, "fire
heats the water and makes it boil. Alas ! why are
we too not inflamed so much with the fire of Divine
love, that our soul will burn within us, as the fluid
within this kettle ?" This thought so inflamed him
with the love of God that he remained a long time
in an ecstasy. When the brothers assembled, he
came to his senses and uttered these burning words,
"Oh! the love of God! how sweet it is to love
God !"

While completing his studies, Solanus led the
same holy and regular life, daily preparing himself
for the greatest event, that of his ordination. On
what day this dignity was conferred upon him, or
what was his special preparation for this great event
his biographers do not state. They only mention
that he celebrated his first Mass on October 4th, the
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, his father and some
other friends being present ; his mother, owing to
blindness and other infirmities, could not attend.

We may, however, with reason suppose, from what
we have already learned of the sanctity of Solanus,
that his preparation was all that could be desired, in
fact his whole life had been little else than such a
preparation.

What must have been his emotions when he as-
cended the steps of the holy altar for the first time

LIFE OF ST. FRANXIS SOLANUS. 17

as a priest of the Most High God ; what were the
feelings of his father and friends present on the oc-
casion ; what the gratitude of his mother at home,
who followed him in spirit to the holy place, can
only be understood by those who have experienced
the same.

On the days of Sacred festivities we realize more
fully that there is in reality a priesthood according
to the rite and order of Melchisedech.

CHAPTER IV.

Solanus as Priest and Superior.

Soon after his ordination, St. Francis was ap-
pointed Director of the choir in the Convent Church,
as he possessed a fine voice and taste for music.

Being very exact in every duty assigned him, he
made special preparation for the choir office, con-
sidering this one of the holiest and most important
functions of the Order ; he was therefore extremely
careful that everything should be conducted with
due order and solemnity.

In case of any omissions or other mistakes, St.
Francis blamed himself rather than others, doing
penance even for those that were unavoidable.

He fully understood the dignity of those who stand
before the Lord to chant his praises, performing the

18 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS *SOLANUS.

same functions on earth that the angels do in
heaven.

It was then customary in Convents, as it is now in
some large Monasteries, to chant the whole divine of-
fice ; hence much depends upon the director of the
choir, that the services may be conducted with
order and due solemnity. Solanus performed all
these duties most faithfully and perfectly. He stud-
ied not merely the melody but the full meaning of
the Gregorian chant, which although so very old,
appears, if properly rendered, ever new.

This solemn chant pleases and deeply impresses
the listener, elevating the soul from earth to
heaven.

Who can remain unmoved in hearing the chant
of the Preface and Pater Noster ? How thrilling the
emotions when listening to the " Salve Begina" "Be-
gina Codi" and above all, to the "Exultet" on Holy
Saturday !

What consolation fills the sorrowing heart during
a Eequiem Mass, at the solemn music of the "Li-
bera" and the uBequiescant in Pace."

Solanus had filled the office of Choir Director for
two years, when he mourned the death of his pious
father ; he had not the consolation of being present
on the sad occasion, to receive his farewell and con-
sole his afflicted mother ; but knowing how great
must be her sorrow, he asked and obtained permis-
sion to visit and comfort her. His Superiors were
the more willing to grant his request, as the time
appointed for him to remain at Loretto was drawing

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 19

to a close, and he was soon to be sent to the Mon-
astery at Arrizafa near the city of Cordova.

Having taken leave of his brethren at Loretto, he
visited his bereaved mother at Montilla, where he
arrived covered with dust and much fatigued. The
servants did not recognize St. Francis, and there-
fore directed him to their mistress who had just gone
into the garden. The aged and feeble widow did not
notice her son approaching, on account of her blind-
ness. Fearing she might be frightened, he ad-
dressed her very quietly. She instantly recognized
the well-known vojee, and who can now describe the
emotions of both mother and son ; their hearts over-
flowed with love and joy, for true piety does not
diminish the affection between parents and their
children, but rather increases and perfects it. Fran-
cis remained some time in Montilla at the same
Convent where he had received the holy habit.

The day after his arrival he received permission
from the Guardian of the Convent to beg alms.
Then might be seen the saintly son of the wealthy
Senora Solano, going from house to house, asking
alms for the love of God.

In the dwelling of Senor Diego Lopez, there was
a very sick child, covered with sores ; the physicians
tried in vain to cure the poor sufferer. The mother-
in-law of Diego begged St. Francis to read a Gospel
over the child. Moved with compassion and charity,
the holy priest sucked the infectious matter from
the sores, speaking words of consolation and bles-
sing. The next morning the child was almost

20 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

cured. The report of this miracle soon spread
abroad, greatly increasing the estimation in which
our Saint was* held.

A poor lame man, afflicted with ulcers, was also
cured by St. Francis in the same way.

The saintly Catharine Fernandez de Cordova,
Countess of Priego, revered him so highly, that she
asked the Guardian of the Convent for his habit that
she might be buried in it. The favor was granted,
her remains being clad in a habit of our Saint, were
buried in he church of the Jesuits at Montilla.

St. Francis wished to leave his native city as soon
as possible that he might escape the honors every-
where awaiting him. Therefore, we find him not
long after at Arrizafa, holding the office of Master
of Novices. His great humility led him to believe
that he was wholly unfitted for this important posi-
tion, he, therefore, begged his Superiors most ear-
nestly to release him from the charge, but without
avail. Being fully aware of his great sanctity and
merit, they could not have made abetter choice.*

* Note.— The office of Master of Novices is one of the most re-
sponsible in a Religious Community; the Novitiate is in truth the
nursery of the Order. Here the virtue of the young Religious is to
be tested, their T'iety nourished and strengthened; at the same
time they are to be directed and trained in whatever relates to ihe
perfection of their vocation. To accomplish all this, it is most
necessary 'hat they have a leader well versed in whatever relates
to the monastic life, and in ev ry way worthy of so weighty a
charge . He must ab <ve all things have a great love and esteem for
his holy calling; he must be a man of prayer, filled with tru^ wis-
dom, that he may direct those committed to his care in the way of
sanctity. He should possess that rare gift of discernment, which
will enable him to distinguish between a true and false vocation;
he must be discreet and cautious in bis judgments. But above all,
must teach more by example than precept. Words only excite the
will, fxample gains its consent and leads to action. Solanus did
all this and even more, redoubling his fasts and austerities, that
he mignt thereby accomplish what in his humility he felt unable
to ao.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 21

He remained in this office for many }-ears, when
his virtue and wisdom found a wider field of action,
being placed at the head of the Novitiate of the
whole Province, which was established in the Con-
vent of San Francisco de Monte, about three miles
from Adamuz, near Villa Franca, Carpeo and Mon-
toro. It was in a secluded place on a high mountain
which exactly suited Solanus, who loved retirement,
as he could thereby converse more easily with our
Lord and meditate upon his works.

He often left his solitude, and descended the
mountain to preach in the neighboring towns and
villages. Hi9 sermons were full of unction, so that
his fame as a preacher spread far and wide. When-
ever it was announced that he would preach, the
people left their homes, business and amusements
to listen to him ; and soon many conversions were
made. On being asked where he had received this
gift of eloquence, he replied : "In a remote corner
of the church where God who is the best teacher has
imparted it to me." While begging alms in the
public streets, he would call the children whom he
met and give them instruction in catechism.

Thus we see how the Saints endeavor to preach
Christ and his Gospel in every possible way. They
always find opportunities for so doing because their
hearts are filled with Divine love.

Soon after, the Provincial chapter being held, he
was appointed Guardian of the Convent. His great
humility would have made him refuse this office, but
he accepted it through obedience to his Superiors.

22 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Literally observing the advice given by his holy
Father, St. Francis, that Superiors should be the
servants of those under their charge, and, being con-
vinced that example is more powerful than precept,
our Saint was always the most exact and regular in
the observance of the holy Rule and Constitutions, so
that in a short time, his Convent became a model in
the observance of religious discipline. He united
prudence and firmness, love and vigilance in his
government ; his great humility and affability gain-
ing the love and esteem of all. They regarded him
as their father, counsellor and guide, and vied
with each other in the practice of mortification, pen-
ance, prayer and meditation ; yet, with all their
fervor and efforts our Saint surpassed them all.

If any member of the Community was ill, it was
not necessary to report the case to their holy Supe-
rior, his attention and vigilance were so great that
he was generally the first to find the sick brother,
when he would wait upon him, make his bed, clean
the room and perform all the most menial services
his condition required.

He not only attended to the bodily necessities of
the sufferer, but cared also for his spiritual needs,
urging him to bear his pain with patience and resig-
nation to the will of God. The saintly Father per-
formed all these deeds of love and charity so readily
that it seemed as if he had never done anything else.*

* Note. — J hese and many other incidents in the life of Blessed
Francis solanns are related by Father Didacus de Molina, who
was afterwards, for thirty years, Guardian and Definitor of the
same Convent; by Father 'John Pamirez who had been three times
elected Provincial of the Province of Granada; and by Father
Aloysius Aquilar and Father Tetrus of San Gabriel.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 23

While St. Francis dwelt in the Convent de Monte,
a fearful pestilence raged in the Province of Anda-
lusia, in the year 1583. The ravages made by it
were greater in the city of Montoro than elsewhere.
As soon as Solanus heard of it, he earnestly begged
permission of his Superior to attend the sick in this
place. The request being granted he left at once
with a companion named Bonaventure,for the scene
of his labors. Trusting in God, they fearlessly en-
tered the city, offering their services to the priest
stationed here. Both clergy and people joyfully
welcomed these good Samaritans, for deep sorrow
and despair seemed to have taken possession of the
hearts of all. After a short rest Francis and Bona-
venture proceeded to the hospital erected without
the city for the plague-stricken people, and at once
began their work of charity, nursing the sufferers
most tenderly, cleansing their sores, washing the in-
fected bodies and doing everything for their comfort.
These charitable priests provided with equal care
for their spiritual necessities, giving advice and
consolation, hearing confessions, administering the
Holy Viaticum, and Extreme Unction when requi-
site. Being themselves full of holy joy, they did
everything in their power to cheer the drooping
spirits of the sick and afflicted, making this sea-
son a true " Jubilee" as Francis termed it, there-
by aiding much in the recovery of the invalids
For those whose last hour had come, the holy
Fathers alleviated as much as possible the pangs
of death, turning their thoughts from this world to

24 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

the next, from their earthly to their heavenly
home.

The prayers were usually short, ejaculatory aspi-
rations repeated after the fathers by the sick and
dying. These ministrations were always eagerly
welcomed and most beneficial to the sufferers.

Those who recovered were taken by Francis to a
neighboring brook, thoroughly washed and cleansed
from all infection, then taken back to the city. On
the way, our Saint held the crucifix, repeating with
his patients the Creed and other prayers in thanks-
giving for their recovery.

Those who died were buried with great care and
as became Christians. — Our Saint was called to pass
through a great trial at this time. His faithful
companion and brother in Christ was attacked with
the plague, and being reduced to the last extremity,
Francis prepared him for death, administered the
last rites of the Church, and when he slept in the
peace of our Lord, laid him to rest among those
whom Bonaventure had served and for whom he had
been ready to die.

This was indeed a most severe trial for Solanus,
but his faith and courage remained unshaken. He
could say with holy Job : "If we have received
good things at the hand of the Lord, why should we
not evil?" (Job 2—10.) That is, I have been truly
blessed in having Bonaventure as a companion, now
that he has been taken from me, shall I not be
equally satisfied ?

Francis was convinced, as our holy religion teaches

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 25

that by giving his life for his brethern, Father
Bonaventure had obtained life everlasting, so that
he would be more than ever their intercessor before
the throne of God, thus making this seeming loss a
real and infinite gain.

Our Lord was not however satisfied with this sac-
rifice. He desired to destroy and utterly annihilate
all earthly attachments, so that nothing whatever
would become an obstacle to his success in the great
labors awaiting him.

Francis was himself attacked with the pestilence.
Gladly would he have left this "vale of tears," ex-
changing it for the heavenly Jerusalem, for the
Mount of Sion, where his weary feet might rest for
ever, but "God's ways are not as our ways, nor His
thoughts as our thoughts." Francis recovered, and
at once resumed the labors of love and charity in
which his life had been almost sacrificed.

At length the pestilence abated, and, finding his
services were more needed elsewhere, he took leave of
those who still remained, recommending them, as
well as the dear departed, to the protection and
mercy of God.

The heroic examples here given by Francis and
Bonaventure must have produced a fruitful harvest
among the citizens of Montoro. The same spirit of
devotion and self-sacrifice is still effecting wonders
in the Church of God where alone true charity is to
be found, which will sacrifice life itself in the service
of God and his neighbor. Abundant proof of this
can be found every day in the hospitals of our larger

26 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

cities, in pest houses and during the ravages of war,
upon the battle fields, where not only men, but weak
feeble women, Sisters of Charity, accustomed, per-
haps, to all the luxuries of a refined and delicate
life, may be seen among the wounded and dying,
nursing them with the tenderness and care of the
most devoted mother, exposing themselves most
readily to sickness and death. Thus do they fulfill
to the very letter the words of our Lord : "This is
my commandment, that you love one another as I
have loved you." (John, xv. 12.) And: "The
good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep." (John,
x. 11.)

CHAPTER V.

St. Solanus leaves Spain and becomes the Apostle
of Peru , South America.

St. Francis of Assisi had a great desire to be mar-
tyred for the faith, and for this purpose made many
attempts to go among the Musselmen, that he might
preach to them and perhaps win the martyr's crown.
Francis Solanus animated with the love of Christ
and with the same desire, as well as hoping to es-
cape the honors every where conferred upon him,
earnestly petitioned the General of the Order to be
permitted to go into Africa and preach to the heathens
there. But his Superiors did not think best to grant
his request, considering him almost indispensable in
their own province. But Almighty God in his
divine wisdom decreed that he should be chosen for
the great Mission in the New World. Philip II. of
Spain, wished the various religious Orders to choose
some of their number for this great work in America.

Solanus hearing of this, again most humbly peti-
tioned to be one of the chosen band ; the request
was granted. He then took leave of his mother,
brothers and Fellow-religious, to go into far distant
regions beyond the mighty ocean, even at the risk
of shedding his blood for the love of Christ, if such-
should be his blessed privilege. He chose for his
field of labor the most remote provinces of the Tucu-

[27]

28 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

mans because in that region were the greatest
number of infidels, who led a life, more like the
beasts of the fields than human beings, not knowing
or honoring their Lord and Master.

Before leaving for his new field of labor, Francis
went from town to town, preaching once more to the
people whom he had so often addressed, exhortiug
them most earnestly to persevere in the way of the
Lord. His last visit was at the Convent of our
Lady of Loretto, where he urged the Religious to
renewed fervor in the life they had chosen.

When the time of departure came, Solanus wen*
on board the ship, accompanied by a great number
of Religious. There were also many soldiers, who
were sent that year, 1589, to the Viceroy of Peru,
Don Garzia of Hurtado, de Mendoza, Count of
Canete.

In a frail galley, such as was then used, in the
midst of rough and stern soldiers, our Saint embarked
on his perilous voyage ; but he went among them all
in as quiet and recollected a manner, as if in his
own Monastery. His time was spent in prayer and
other religious duties. From the fullness of his
heart proceeded words of consolation, advice and
encouragement to all who had the happiness of con-
versing with him. He would often raise his crucifix
before the people and with holy zeal exhort them to
forsake their evil ways and give themselves to the
service of God. His motto was : ' 'Rather die than
offend the majesty of God.*'

When the ship reached the island of St. Domingo,

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 29

some of those on board went to a retired place to
wash their garments, Solanus among the number.
They scattered around to find the best places for
their work. It had been arranged that all should
meet at four o'clock p. m., in a place suitable for re-
embarking. But through some delay the appointed
time had passed without their knowledge, and when
they met at the landing, what was their dismay, in
seeing the vessel sailing away, being then two miles
from shore. The terror of Solanus and his com-
panions was so much the greater, as the island was
inhabited by cannibals.

Our Saint could not, however, restrain his joy as
he thought an opportunity would now be offered for
shedding his blood in honor of our Lord. He there-
fore exclaimed : "Blessed be the hour wherein my
desire shall be accomplished. O my Lord, consider
me worthy of the crown of martyrdom. Excess of
love for Thee urges me to shed the last drop of blood
in my veins." Thus the Saint poured forth the
emotions of his heart. His companions tried to
check him, lest the cannibals might come and de-
vour them all. But it was with difficulty they
succeeded. "For love is strong as death." (Cant.
8, 6.) But in the designs of Almighty God, a
martyr's death did not await Solanus.

Soon after the galley set sail, those on board
noticed that their faithful friend Solanus and his
companions were not on board ; they were therefore
obliged to return for them. Their sails wrere spread
once more, directing their course to Caithagena,

30 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

where they stopped a few days, then steered for
Porto Velo, which ended the voyage as they went
overland to Panama. Although this journey was
very fatiguing, yet through it all our Saint continued
his labor of love, among the people as well as his
usual austerities.

Father Didacus de Pineda, one of his compan-
ions, relates that when at Carthagena and Panama,
Solanus was always present in the choir of the Con-
Tents there, as well as at the other religious exercises
after which he visited and consoled the sick in the
hospitals.

Father Franciscus de Torres, another of his
associates, who was often chosen Guardian of several
Convents in the Province of Lima, repeats the same
encomiums. As we have said the mortifications of
our Saint were still practised while on this journey.
When stopping for a short time in some Convent, he
would not even accept a cell, but took a little rest in
a corner of the choir, using a mat of bulrushes for a
bed and a piece of wood for his pillow. What a
striking contrast between the conduct of St. Francis
Solanus and those Christians who are always and
everywhere seeking their comfort, and so readily
excuse themselves from attending Mass or other
religious exercises of the Church. St. Francis
and his companions were obliged to wait some days
for a vessel before leaving for their new mission in
Peru. At length a ship appeared in the harbor of
Panama, bound for their destined country. They
took passage in it expecting to see their new home

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 31

in a few weeks at least. But our Lord who constantly
tests the fidelity of his true children by new trials,
that their virtue may be known abroad, caused a
severe storm to lengthen still more their already
tedious voyage.

They had nearly reached Gorgona, a city about
one hundred miles from Panama, when a fearful
tempest suddenly arose, dashing their ship against
a rock ; it sprang a leak, soon filling the hold with
water, while the angry waves rolling over the sides
of the vessel poured a flood on the deck, almost
sweeping the unfortunate crew into the sea. Terror
and despair reigned everywhere, all expected soon
to find a grave in uold ocean's" bed, and were not
even trying to save themselves. However a life-boat
was soon lowered and as quickly filled. Among the
number were some of the companions of our Saint.
He was urged by all to follow as the ship was rapidly
sinking, but he refused, thinking only of the nine
hundred persons still remaining in the doomed ves-
sel, of whom nearly eight hundred were heathens.
His heart was filled with grief at the thought of so
many perishing without having even received the
grace of baptism. He felt that here indeed was his
mission, a great one too, that should at once be
commenced. In the fervor of his ardent love he
spoke to them of Christ, our Redeemer, who suffered
death for us on the cross, "who does not desire the
death of a sinner, but that he be converted and
live." He pictured to them as circumstances per-
mitted, the mercy of God, the necessity of contri-

32 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

tion, penance and baptism. The heart of Francis
being inflamed with divine love, moved his
bearers to sorrow for their sins and a desire
to lead a new life ; those eight hundred hea-
thens asked for baptism. He most gladly ad-
ministered this Sacrament, soon after which
many of them met a watery grave, as the vessel sud-
denly divided. One portion sank beneath the waves
with its freight of human beings ; the other foundered
on a rock. A great and striking miracle now took
place. While the waves dashed furiously against
the half-wrecked vessel, our Saint appeared at the
prow and announced, that trusting in God's mercy,
all the rest would be saved. While thus speaking,
he raised his heart and eyes toward heaven, and all
beheld him in an ecstasy.

Still there was no visible help ; on the contrary,
the ship was fast filling with water, so that it seemed
as if all would soon go down with her in the depths
of the ocean ; and such would have been the case,
had the elements been permitted to wreak their fury
yet longer. Even Father Francis deLeiva, the Con-
fessor of the Saint, despaired, and sought safety in the
waves by swimming to the shore. Many others fol-
lowing his example, were also rescued. Seeing the
despair of so great a number, our Saint had recourse
to his discipline, scourging himself most unmerci-
fully hoping thereby to obtain the divine mercy.

He then heard the confessions of those who
remained, assuring them they would all be saved
within three days, which was fully verified. A

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 33

life-boat succeeded in landing those who had taken
refuge therein, and some of the men ventured to
return for the unfortunate passengers still clinging
to the sinking vessel. It was truly a wurk of hero-
ism, for the fury of the waves had but little abated.
They would have thought Solanus and his compan-
ions were certainly lost, had they not seen a light
on the unfortunate vessel. Braving the dangers of
the stormy ocean, they urged on the life-boat
through the mist, and at length came in sight of the
ship and were soon alongside.

Who can describe the joy of these unfortunate
people, who had for three days been without the
necessary food, when they saw their deliverers
approach. All quickly entered the boat, the last
one being our Saint, and he had but just stepped in
when the deserted ship sank beneath the waves.
Falling at the feet of their holy deliverer, they
poured out the blessings and praises of their grate-
ful hearts for his intercession in their behalf, at the
same time returning thanks to Almighty God for his
mercy toward them, for they well knew to whom
they owed their miraculous preservation.

We must not omit to mention a remarkable inci-
dent connected with this event. Solanus made a
bundle of his habit a ;d capuch and endeavored to
throw them into the life-boat, but his companions
missed catching it, so that it 7\ras swept away by the
waves and disappeared.

Francis landed with the few articles of clothing he
still wore, but on reaching the shore, walked away

34 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

from the rest, as if looking for something. One of
his friends,a member of the King's Council at Quito,
asked him where he was going. The Saint replied
that he was looking for his habit. "The waves
have carried it off," said the officer.

But Solanus trusting in the mercy of God an-
swered : "I hope in God, that my Father, St. Fran-
cis, who has given me the habit will also restore it."

And so he did, for in half an hour our Saint
returned wearing his old habit, cord and capuch.
Truly our Lord deals wonderfully with his Saints,
even while leading them through trials, providing
at the same time for their wants, if necessary com-
manding the sea to give up its prey ; Solanus could
in truth apply the words of Isaias to himself : "And
now, thus saith the Lord that created thee, 0 Jacob,
and formed thee, O Israel. Fear not, for I have
redeemed thee and called thee by my name ; thou
art mine. When thou shalt pass through the waters,
I will be with thee ; and the rivers shall not cover
thee ; when thou shalt walk in the fire, thou shalt
not be burnt, and the flames shall not burn in thee,
for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel,
thy Savior." (Isaias, 43, 1 to 3.)

Although St. Francis had been rescued from a
watery grave, yet new perils awaited him and his
companions on land, for the life-boat had left them
in a desolate place, without inhabitants, surrounded
by high mountains that raised their lofty peaks to
the heavens. They obtained food as best they
could, which consisted offish, herbs and whatever

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 35

they found in the woods. A serious accident oc-
cured while in this lonely place. Some of their
number had gathered a kind of fruit which appeared
delicious, but proved a deadly poison ; for they died
within twenty-four hours after eating it. After this
sad occurrence St. Francis required all eatables to
be first brought to him and to be blessed.

Our Saint was very successful in catching fish,
which he distributed most liberally among the rest of
the company.

On one occasion a large shoal of crawfish made
their way towards the little hut Francis had erected
for himself; as if they had been expected, he said
to them: "Come, my children, creatures of God,
do not refuse to become the food of us, your larger
brothers, who are almost starving." They seemed
to understand this language, and allowed themselves
to be distributed among the people.

The first care of our Saint on his arrival had been
to erect a chapel from the remains of the stranded
vessel. When finished, a statue of our Blessed Lady
saved from the shipwreck, was placed in it. Here
St. Francis assembled tho people every day, praying
and preaching to them, and giving familiar instruc-
tions upon the truths of our holy religion. Here,
before the statue of our Lady, "Star of the Sea,"
they chanted the Salve Regina, with the true fervor
and melody of Catholic Spaniards. Mass could not
be celebrated for none of the vestments, holy vessels,
wine or altar-bread had been saved. They were
therefore obliged to supply as best they could the

36 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

loss of this great Sacrament by other devotions. —
We read in the Book of Exodus that many of the
Egyptians, who were drowned while crossing the Red
Sea, were seen on the sea shore a few days after-
wards by the Israelites, reminding them of the
mercy and goodness of God. But when a part of
the ship's cargo was washed ashore some of those
who found it, instead of thanking Almighty God for
this proof of His care and goodness, quarreled
among themselves, claiming the goods as their
property merely because they had found them ;
while others swore most positively that the articles
had formerly belonged to them, and therefore were
claimed for that reason. All this caused frequent
quarrels which might have ended in bloodshed, but
our Saint being an angel of peace, usually succeeded
in settling the dispute. On one occasion he had re-
course to his discipline, not to chastise the dispu-
tants as they deserved, but to scourge his own frail
body, already much reduced by his continual fatigues
and mortifications. This remedy always had the
desired effect, peace being at once restored.

Fifty days had already passed and yet no prospect
of relief came to cheer these unfortunate people.
During this time Father Balthazar with a small band
had ventured to brave the perils of the sea in a trip to
Panama, for the purpose of obtaining assistance
from the government for their companions left be-
hind. Many days had passed since their departure,
and — yet nothing had been heard of themjtheir friends
were therefore almost ready to despair.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 37

The Eve of Christmas came, they retired to rest,
discouraged and heartbroken. Solanus however did
not lose courage. Recalling to mind the goodness
and^nercy of God as manifested in the incarnation
of His Son, on that memorable night of our Saviour's
Nativity, when "the light shineth in darkness ;" his
trust in God increased and he saw in spirit the help
that would come to them in a few days. He as-
sembled the people and said to them, "I announce
good tidings of great joy, help will soon be here ;
within three days a ship is to bring us relief/' In
their joy, all exclaimed: "Relief! Salvation!"

But our Saint required a reward for his "glr.d
tidings." What was it? That all should celebrate
Christmas Eve with him. They did so, and Francis
preached to them upon the great love of God mani-
fested in the birth of our Lord and Redeemer, the
second person of the Blessed Trinity. All were
deeply interested and greatly edified, forgetting for
the time their extreme poverty and suffering.

On the third day the promised relief came. The
mission of Father Balthazar had been successful.
On arriving at Panama, a large vessel was quickly
manned and laden with provisions and other neces-
saries. The first sight of its white sail was joyfully
hailed by Solanus and his people ; the latter
were ready to fall on their knees and thank Father
Francis for his prayers and Balthazar for having
risked his life and endured so many hardships to
bring them relief. Father Balthazar felt that he
was indebted to the prayers of our Saint for his safe

38 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

return, the promise of which had induced him to under-
take the voyage. Provisions, etc., were now freely
distributed among the sufferers. After fully satisfy-
ing their hunger, they all hastened to their tempo-
rary chapel and with truly grateful hearts returned
public thanks to Almighty God for his merciful
preservation. Nor did they forget our Blessed
Lady. Her statue was carried in procession to the
ship. All were soon on board ; the anchor was
weighed, sails spread and the ship directed her course
to Peru, where St. Francis was to enter upon a new
and important field of labor. He could now truly
apply to himself the words ot the Canticles :

"Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can
the floods drown it ; if a man should give all the
substance of his house for love, he shall despise it
as nothing." (Cant, viii., 7.)

CHAPTER VI.

Peru.

*History testifies that the first missionary priests
of America were from the Order of St. Francis of
Assissi. The way had been prepared by the intro-
duction of Christendom into the Canary Islands in
1450 by Franciscan Fathers from the Spanish
Province. The missions in these islands have been
honored by the labors of St. Didacus, a lay-brother.
Fathers of the same Order prevailed on Ferdinand
V. and his royal consort Isabella, to entrust three
ships and one hundred and twenty men to Christo-
pher Columbus in 1492. After this first voyage the
great explorer petitioned his majesty for more ships,
sailors and missionaries. The king furnished all
except the latter, leaving to Pope Alexander VI. the
appointment of these. His Holiness issued a bull
in May, 1493, permitting the king to send pious and
learned men who would be able to preach the Gospel
in those distant regions. Father John Perez, O. S.
F., Confessor to Queen Isabella with some ot^er
priests from the same order, accompanied Columbus
on his second voyage. He landed again at Hayti,
and there founded a city. To honor the memory of
his father he named it Santo Domingo. Father
Perez had a chapel and altar erected and there cele-

* Rev. J. Schroeder.— Life of St. Francis Solanus.
[39]

40 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

bratecl the first Mass on the island. Through the
efforts of Columbus a Convent was afterwards erected
here in 1505, being the first one in the Province of
the Holy Cross in the West Indies,

It was not long before many more Franciscans
went to this New World, so that foundations were
soon made and Provinces formed. The chief among
them were : The Province of the Holy Gospel in Mex-
ico, erected in 1543 ; that of the Twelve Apostles, at
Lima, Peru, in 1553 ; St. Joseph, at Yucatan, in 1559 ;
Holy Apostles, St. Peter and Paul, at Mechoacan,
in 1565. Many others might be mentioned if space
permitted.

The first Bishopric in this country was created in
1511 by Pope Julius II., at San Domingo, Father
Garcius de Padilla, O. S. F., was appointed as its
head. The first Bishop and Archbishop appointed
on the Continent, in Mexico, were also from the
same Order. The labors of the sons of St. Francis
in South America produced an abundant harvest,
especially in Peru. Two Provinces had been erected
— one of the Twelve Apostles and the other of St.
Francis.

Father Jodocus de Rycke, of Mechlin, and Petrus
Goussel, of Louvain, had been very successful in
these missions. Father Van Loo (Brevis Conspec-
tus , Prcecip. Mission. Ord. S. Franc. — Auctore
Fr. Bernardo Van Loo - Lovani, 1863) says:
The foundation of the most successful missions,
which the Franciscans had and still have in the
kingdom of Peru, was laid by Father Jodocus de

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 41

Rycke, but the glory and renown they have since
attained is due to Francis Solanus, who is justly
called "the Apostle of South America."

Resuming the thread of our narrative, we find
that Solanus and his companions traveled by land
to Lima, the capital of Peru. On arriving there
they went immediately to the Franciscan Monastery
called St. Francis de Jesu, which was the Mother
House of the Province of the Twelve Apostles in
Peru. Here they remained a few days to recruit
their health and strength ; then set out for the new
| field of labor awaiting them in Tucuman.

However Solanus even in Lima did not allow him-
\ self any rest, but went through the streets of that
4 famous city, enlightening it with a few rays of his
i piety and wisdom, even as Jesus Christ did at the
age of twelve years in the temple at Jerusalem, con-
I founding the most learned doctors of the law.
J Afterwards our Saint accomplished great wonders
Ijin the miraculous conversions that resulted from his
•^labors in Peru.

Tucuman was about 700 miles from Lima. This
distance was to be traveled, not by a railway or
even in a coach, but on foot or horseback. Roads
had not yet been cut through the woods, across tbe
steep mountains and over the broad prairies. The
traveler depended upon the points of the compass
and the stars of the firmament to guide him over this
trackless region. Other dangers and difficulties
awaited him from the many poisonous insects and
ferocious wild beasts infesting the country. The

42 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

first settlers in our own land can imagine what great
obstacles had to be met and overcome before our
missionaries reached their new field of labor. How-
ever a priest who consecrates himself entirely to his
sacred calling is fully prepared for such difficulties.
But a Saint who earnestly desires to suffer and die
for his Lord and Master that he may thereby obtain
the martyr's crown in the missionary field, rejoices
at every new trial and labor. Thus did our Saint.
The more rugged and toilsome the road, the greater
was his joy. His companions testify that nothing
could discourage him ; while his example served to
cheer them. Everything became an occasion for
raising his heart to God and of being more inter-
nally united with Him.

Many years before this, the Friar Minor, Brother
Alphonsus de San Bonaventure of an Andalusian
Province in Tucuman had endeavored to convert the
Indian tribes of that country. A similar attempt
had previously been made by Brother Ludwig Bola-
nos, who spoke and wrote a treatise on Christian
Doctrine in five different Indian dialects. This
Brother was afterwards ordained priest, and con-
verted many heathens in the Province of Paraguay.
According to some authorities he baptized more than
20,000.

The field of labor upon which St. Francis entered
had therefore been in a measure cultivated and pre-
pared for the abundant harvest of souls soon to be
gathered. Although Tucuman was to some extent
settled by Spaniards, yet their example had done

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 43

much to check the progress of the true faith. Many
of the villages in Tucuman were peopled by con-
verted Indians ; there were also Indian settlements,
where schools had been opened by the missionaries,
as a more effective means of ensuring permanent
success in their labors. St. Francis commenced his
work b}r instructing the poor Indians of Sokotonio,
Magdalena and other places.

In order to accomplish the end in view, Solanus
had first to learn the various Indian dialects.

We read in Holy Scripture, that on Pentecost
Sunday the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles
who also received the miraculous gift of tongues.
The people who witnessed this miracle were of
course astonished and exclaimed : "Behold ! are not
all who speak Galileans? And how have we, every-
one, heard our own tongue wherein we were born."
(Acts ii. 7-8.).

This miracle has been frequently repeated. God
has often imparted the gift of tongues to apostolic
men whom He destined as messengers among the
Gentiles* In this way He confirms the word that is
preached, thus convincing the heathens that He is
the Ruler of the Universe.

Our Saint is a proof of this, for he learned in one
night, by the assistance of Almighty God, not on]y
to speak the different Indian languages, but also the
dialects of each language most fluently. The Toko-
notic was the only exception. This he studied for
15 days. Andreas Garcias de Veldes, the Spanish
Commander at Talavera, was his teacher, but at

44 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

the end of this time the pupil surpassed his master
in the correctness with which he spoke and pro-
nounced that dialect ; he even excelled the natives
themselves, so that he could correct their errors ;
and when they listened to his instructions it seemed
as if his life must have been spent with them. The
heathens were so astonished at this miracle, they
thought our Saint must have been taught by the great
Ataguschu, their chief deity, or that it had been
accomplished by some magic. The converts, how-
ever, knew well enough that the great Master of
heaven and earth had been his teacher. They
therefore returned thanks to "Him from whom
cometh every best and every perfect gift." (Jas. i.,
17.) St. Francis commenced his labors at Talavera
and in the vicinity. Before going among the neigh-
boring tribes, he strengthened all those who bad
been converted to the faith. He preached to the
people wherever he found them assembled, even in
the streets and public squares. He visited the poor
and sick, ministering to their wants and consoling
them by words full of the unction of the Holy Ghost.
He begged alms and assistance from the wealthy,
distributing whatever he collected among the needy.
The words of Isaias when speaking of the mission
of Christ might truly have been applied to our
Saint : "The spirit of the Lord is upon me because
he hath anointed me ; He hath sent me to preach to
the meek, to heal the contrite of heart, to preach
release to the captives and deliverance to them that
are shut up. To proclaim the acceptable years of

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 45

the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, to
comfort all that mourn." (Is. lxi., 1, 2.)

Consequently our Saint was welcomed everywhere :
Among the poor and distressed because they found
in him a helper, comforter and true friend in their
trials and afflictions ; among the rich because they
knew that their alms distributed by his sacred hands
would bring them many a blessing. "For alms
delivereth from death, and the same is that purgeth
away sins and maketh to find mercy and life ever-
lasting. (Tob. xii., 9.) Hence they gave him freely
of their abundance.

St. Francis was a particular friend of children,
without making any distinction ; all were equally
dear to him, whether of Spaniard, Indian, Negro or
mixed parentage, because in each one he recognized
an immortal soul redeemed by the blood of Jesus
Christ. The little ones therefore loved to be with
him, and as soon as he appeared, would exclaim :
4 *The Saint is coming!" In this Solanus imitated
the great Friend of little ones, who said: "Suffer
little children to come to me, and forbid them
not, for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mark
x., 14.)

Not far from Talavera were two Indian settle-
ments where the missionaries taught the converted
Indians agriculture and the mechanical arts, that
they might become acquainted with the manners and
customs of civilization. The Jesuits called their
congregations "Reductions" Who has not heard
of the renowned Reductions of Indians, conducted

46 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

by the Jesuit Fathers of Paraguay, South America,
also of those in California directed by the Francis-
cans ? There were similar Reductions at Sokotonio
and Magdalena when Solanus arrived, but at that
time were without a priest. These were therefore
committed to his care, and soon had every reason to
rejoice in being placed under the guidance of so wise
and holy a director. Solanus made daily visits alter-
nately to each of these settlements, preached to the
people, administered the Sacraments and instructed
the children. At noon he usually retired at a short
distance from the village to take his frugal repast on
a little hill, where he could at the same time raise
his mind and heart to God in holy meditation. The
works of nature were his delight, he could therefore
make everything connected with them a means of
intercourse and union with the great Creator of the
Universe. The birds soon found a friend in our
Saint, and would warble their sweetest songs while
he shared his scanty repast with them. They would
perch on his head and shouliers, readily obey him,
and often would not depart until they had received
his blessing. But not only birds, but also wild
beasts, the terror of man, became subject to his
will.

It really seemed as if these animals, conscious of
the great innocence of our Saint, re-entered the
state of primitive subjection natural to them at the
creation of the world, when the whole animal
kingdom was subject to Adam, their master.

On one occasion, as Solanus was on his way to

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 47

the school, a short distance from Talavera, Andreas
Garcias, the commander of Talavera, being on
horseback a little in advance of St. Francis, was
suddenly met by an infuriated bull. He saw at once
that the bull would attack his horse. He therefore
spurred on the animal, and made his escape. Being
out of danger he remembered the poor monk and
instantly turned his horse to save him, even at
the risk of his own life. What was his astonish-
ment to see the bull, a moment before so furious,
now quiet and tame as a lamb, at the side of our
Saint, who gently caressed and blessed him, when
he quietly trotted up the hill. Andreas Garcias was
of course greatly astonished, but our Saint putting
his finger to his lips forbade him to mention it. But
Andreas could not keep such a wonder secret, and it
was soon published abroad. In this Solanus imi-
tated our Lord, who strictly charged them, saying :
uSee that no man know it. But they going out
spread his fame abroad in all that country." (Matt,
ix., 30, 31.)

On another occasion Andreas Garcias had an
opportunity of ascertaining how God protected his
servant. While both traveled together they came
to a river ; the waters were so much swollen by
recent rains as to make navigation dangerous. They
entered the boat awaiting them, when the cloak of
Solanus fell into the water and was soon carried out
of sight by the swift current. They continued the
journey after crossing the river, but the officer
through pity for Solanus, retraced his steps to the

48 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

bank, hoping he might catch a glimpse of the cloak.
Imagine his surprise when he saw it nicely spread
out on the grass as if to be dried. Garcias took up
the cloak most respectfully and placed it reverently
on the shoulders of the holy man.

The Indians witnessed another great miracle
wrought through the intercession of our Saint. In
their settlement there was no water fit for drinking ;
they therefore made preparations to change their
location for another, better adapted to their wants.
St. Francis was much grieved when he heard of this,
fearing the poor Indians might neglect their religi-
ous duties, lose the faith and return to idolatry. At
the same time their health and prosperity made it
necessary for them to have pure water. St. Francis
had recourse to prayer in this, as in all other emer-
gencies ; an answer soon came. One morning he
entered the settlement of Sokotonio, full of joy, and
assembling the people told them they could still
remain there, as water in abundance would be
furnished. They replied it would be impossible, as
they had searched every spot of ground in that
region, as their forefathers had done before them,
without ever finding a spring of fresh water. Sola-
nus cried out in a loud voice : "Put your trust in
the power of God ; come with me ; I will show you
water fresh and pure." Still distrusting his words,
they followed him reluctantly. Like another Moses
in the desert, our Saint led them to a very dry
place, pointed to a spot with his staff and directed
the people to dig there. They did so, and after

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 49

removing a little earth, signs of moisture appeared,
and soon a copious spring of clear, pure water gushed
forth to the great joy and astonishment of all. It
continued to flow so abundantly that a creek was
formed near its source, which even to this day turns
the mills for the natives.

The people from Sokotonio, as well as those from
a distance, used the water of this miraculous spring,
not only to quench their thirst, but also for the cure
of diseases.

It is related that a widow of Potosi, seventy miles
from Talavera, was cured of an issue of blood, with
which she had been afflicted many years, by the use
of this water. Even to the present day, Spaniards,
as well as Indians call that spring, "The well of
St. Solanus."

Talavera, Sokotonio and Mngdalena, so dear to
our Saint, as having been the first field of his labors
among the Indians, were not to be abandoned.
The inhabitants honored him during his life, but
more especially after his death, by their pious and
exemplary lives. They invoked his aid in times of
public calamity as well as private trouble ; never
was it in vain. A few years after his death im-
mense swarms of grasshoppers appeared in Tucu-
man, threatening the crops with total ruin. Beau-
tiful meadows and fertile fields of grain were laid
waste in a few hours by the devouring insects.
Talavera, Sokotonio and Magdalena, seeing the
great calamity that threatened them, promised our
Saint they would always honor him if he would use

50 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

his power with God for the destruction of these
insects. This promise had scarcely been made,
when suddenly, as if they had received a direct com-
mand, the grasshoppers turned their course and
flew away to the barren mountains of Cordova,
where they soon perished

CHAPTER VII.

Solanus in Tucuman, ChaTco, Paraguay, etc.

St. Francis Solanus was not satisfied with preach-
ing only to those Indians in the small villages, that
were already mostly converted, his thirst for souls
urged him to extend his labors among those who
were still in a barbarous state.

He fearlessly went among them, teaching and
preaching the truths of Christianity, caring nothing
for his own safety and comfort. He was almost
consumed with the desire to die for our Lord, to
shed his blood for the redemption of immortal souls.
He fully verified the advice given by the Apostle of
the Gentiles to his beloved disciple Timothy :
"Preach the word, be instant in season, out of sea-
son, reprove, entreat, rebuke with all patience and
doctrine." (II Tim. iv., 2.) " Be thou vigilant,
labor in all things, do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill thy ministry." (II Tim. iv., 5.)

Whenever he heard that a Cazic (Indian chief)

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 51

was in the vicinity, he would hasten thither and
speak so earnestly to them, that they flocked around
him, listening eagerly to his pious instructions ; then
raising the crucifix, he would preach Christ and Him
crucified, continuirg these labors of love until they
were converted to the true faith. He would even go
to them at midnight when engaged in their rude
games and dances ; if there happened to be a
lunar eclipse, when they thought the moon was about
to die, he explained the cause of the phenomena,
thus removing their superstitious ideas regarding it.
The travels of Solanus among the tribes brought
him as far as San Jago or Santiago del Estero, a
Spanish town on the Rio Dolce, 28° south lati-
tude, laid out in 1562. The country was very flat,
and the Indians soon left it on account of the Span-
iards, therefore our Saint remained there but a short
time and hastened on to Rioxa. This town is situ-
ated on the boundaries of Chili, at the foot of the
Andes Mountains, and was settled the year pievious.
The Spaniards had been attracted thither by the
silver mines found in the vicinity. There were, how-
ever, but a few of them, and being frequently exposed
to the attacks of the Indians, hailed the arrival of
our Saint with great joy, knowing how friendly the
natives were with him whom they regarded as a
messenger of peace and good will. Nor were they
disappointed in their expectations. His labors
among these people produced an abundant hai vest ;
they were converted, baptized and solemnly pledged
their allegiance to the Spanish crown. Thus we see

52 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

that what could not be accomplished by force of
arms, was obtained by the meekness and virtue of
our Saint.

Whole tribes were attracted thither and made set-
tlements at Rioxa, became peaceable, industrious
and happy citizens. These conversions aroused the
jealousy and anger of the tribes living in the moun-
tainous region between the rivers Dolce and St»
Tome. Forty -five of the chiefs ordered their men
to take revenge on the Spaniards, by either killing
or taking them prisoners, and sacrificing them to
their gods. For this purpose they encamped on a
hill near the city, and commenced their war-dances
to the great terror of the converted Indians, as well
as of the Spaniards,

This occurred in Holy Week on Maun day Thurs-
day. The Christians had just received Holy Com-
munion and were still assembled in the Church,
when the sad tidings reached them. The women
remained to weep and pray, but the men gathered
around their General, Pietro Cotero, who exhorted
them to resist even to the shedding of the last drop
of their blood, saying : "Better to suffer death, than
fall into the hands of these cannibals." Solanus,
however, objected very strongly to these measures.
He commanded them all to remain quiet until his
return ; then left the town and entered the enemy's
camp, determined either to die or save his people.
On this occasion he imitated St. Francis of Assissi
who on a similar mission entered the camp of the
Sultan.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 53

With cross in hand Solanus passed through
the excited crowd that flocked around him ; then
standing on an elevated place, he addressed them in
nearly the following words of the Psalmist : "Why
have the Gentiles raged and the people devised vain
things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the
princes met together, against the Lord and against
his Christ." (Ps. ii., 1,2.) Then raising his cru-
cifix, he appealed to them in such forcible language
that they could not resist him ; his cause was gained
for "He taught them as one having authority and
not as their Scribes and Pharisees," — *. e. — their
own priests and teachers. (Matt, vii., 29.) They
in turn became his willing disciples, asking "what
they must do to be saved. Now when they heard
these things, they had compunction in their hearts,
and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles :
'What shall we do, men and brethren/ But Peter
said to them : 4Do penance and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the
remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost.' " (Acts ii., 37, 38.)

In this important interview our Saint also insisted
upon the necessity of baptism. The grace of God
having been poured upon this band of warriors,
numbering nearly nine thousand, they knelt down,
reverently bowed their heads and received the waters
of regeneration from St. Francis. Then casting
away their weapons, they marched on with joyful
hearts to Rioxa, reflecting upon the great miracle
that had been wrought. Their army was composed

54 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

of recruits from various tribes speaking different
dialects. The Saint had addressed them in but one
language, and yet each had heard and understood in
his own tongue. This miracle was sufficient to con-
vince and confirm them in their true faith ; they were
soon civilized, and to this day have remained faith-
ful to their religion. In so doing they followed the
counsel of the Eoyal Prophet: "And now, O ye
kings, understand, receive instruction, you that
judge the earth. Serve ye the Lord with fear, and
rejoice unto Him with trembling. Embrace disci-
pline, lest at any time the Lord be angry and you
perish from the just way, when His wrath shall be
kindled at any time ; blessed are all they that trust
in Him." (Ps. ii., 10, 13.) Solanus thus became
the instrument of averting a great massacre from
Rioxa, since those Indians would, no doubt, have
sacked the town, scalping and killing all the inhabit-
ants of which the history of North America furnishes
so many terrible examples.

St. Francis remained some time at Rioxa to con-
firm the Indian converts in the true faith, then
resumed his travels and labor towards the north-
east, passing through Patamarkas on to San Miguel
in the valley of Calchaquin.

Wherever he appeared the natives flocked around
him, asking and obtaining instruction and baptism.
His fame had already spread far and wide, the poor
Indians regarding him as a messenger from the Great
Spirit. Thence he directed his course to Tucuman,
a little Spanish village on the slope of the Sierra

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 55

Aconquiga. This was a beautiful and fertile spot ;
it seemed like an earthly paradise. That county
owes its fertility to the Rio de Tucuman flowing
from the north into lake Boranges. On the west are
the woods and mountains shadowing the winding
valleys below, which however were unproductive.
Solanus found but few Indians among the Spanish
population. They were too fond of their liberty,
and, considering it endangered by foreign invaders,
retired farther east. They had learned too well by
previous experience, that the European settlers
would, even at the risk of their lives, make them-
selves masters of whatever country they found
adapted to their wants, as had already been done
in both North and South America.*

The district where he now labored was surrounded
on the north by wooded mountains, south by
swamps and sandy deserts ; on the east flowed the
great river Paraguay, while on the west towered the

* The well known historian William H. Prescott in his
"Conquest of Peru," has truly sa>d: "Brought in contact with
srmi-civilized man, the European, with his endowments and effec-
tive force so immeasurably superior, hold him a little hieher
than the brute, and as born equally for his service. He feels that
he has a natural right as it were to his obedience, or that this
obedience is to be measured, not by the powers of the barbarian,
but by the will of his conqueror. Resistance becomes a crime, to
b-~! washed out only in the blood of the victim. The tale of such
atrocl ies is not confined to the Spaniards. Wherever the civil-
ized man and the eavagehave come in contact, in the Ea*t or in
the West, the story has too often been written in blo< d." [Vol. ii.
Page 82.) On the eighth page of the same volume the learned
author also says: "The effort to Christianize the heathen is an
honorable characteristic of the Spanis 1 conquest. The Puritans,
with equal religious zeal, d id comparatively little for the conver-
sion of the Indian, content, as it would seem, with having secured
to himself the inestimable privilege of worshipping God in his own
way. Other adventurers who occupied the New World have often
had too little regard for religion themselves to oe very solicitor
about epreadiug it among the savages. But the Spanish mis-
sionary from first to last has shown a keen interest in the spb lmal

56 LIFE OF ST, FRANCIS SOL ANUS.

lofty Cordilleras to the height of many thousand feet.
Many rivers have their sources in these ; as the Pilco
Majo, the principal river of Chili, the Salado, Ver-
mejo or Red river, which flowing through Chaco
render the land very fertile. The spot had been
chosen by many Indian tribes as suitable for an
encampment. Although continually fighting among
themselves, yet all agreed on one point, which was
eternal enmity to the Europeans. This hatred was
caused by the ruthless invasion of the foreigners,
who had by the force of arms wrested the land from
its lawful owners. Solanus found these Indians
leading a wandering life, without houses and but
little clothing. Hunting and fishing occupied most
of their time, their food being also the flesh of the
prisoners of war.

Andreas Manso, a Spanish commander, in 1556
ventured to enter this region with his men, but all
were so furiously attacked by the Indians, that every

welfare of the natives. Under his* auspices churches on a mag-
nificent scale have been erected, schools for elementary in-
struction founded, and every rational means taken to spread the
knowledge of religious truth, while he has carried his solitary
mission into remote and almost inaccessible regions, or gathered his
Indian desciples into communities; like the good Las Casas in
Cumana. or like the Jesuits in California and Paraguay,

At all times the conragous ecclesiastic has been ready to lift his
voice against the cruelty of the conqueror, and the no less wasting
cupidity of the colonist, and when his remonstrances, as was too
often the case, have proved unavailing, he has etill iollowed to
bind up the broken-hearted, to teach the poor Indian resignation
under his lot. and light up his dark intellect with the revelation
of a holier and happier existence. In reviewing the blood-stained
records of Spanish colonial history, it is but fair, and at the same
time cheering, to reflect that the same nation, that sent forth the
hard-hearted conqueror from its bosom, sent forth the missionary
to do the work 01 beneficence, and spread the light of Christian
civilization over the farthest regions of the New World.' '

The foregoing passages cited from the great American historian
will doubtless place in a clearer light the missionary labors of St.
Francis, as well as the conduct of the Indians.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 0/

one was cruelly massacred, the cannibals eating the
flesh of their victims and preserving their skin as
trophies. Even to this day, both the natives and
Spaniards call the plain on both sides of the river
Pilco Majo, where the terrible butchery was commit-
ted : Llanos, i. e., "Plains of Manso." Spanish
adventurers have since avoided the place, their lives
after all being dearer to them than the riches of the
country.

But the motives which deterred others from visit-
ing those Indian tribes were the very ones which
attracted our Saint. Neither distance, nor dangers
of the journey, fear of hardships, or advice of friends
could check the ardor of his zeal. He only consid-
ered the misery, ignorance and degradation of these
unfortunate savages ; he burned with the desire to
impart to them the light of faith and thereby secure
the salvation of their immortal souls.

Taking the cross as his only weapon, he crossed
the Cordilleras of Chirigua, the woods and plains
resounding with the glad tidings of redemption that
he carried. The rude savages gathered around, look-
ing with astonishment at the man who could speak
the dialects of all their tribes.

The thousands who listened eagerly to his in-
structions were soon convinced, converted and
baptized in the Rio Vermejo, Pilco Majo, Salado
and other rivers. They received the garment of
innocence in baptism, and at the request of Solanus
clothed themselves properly. Civilization soon
showed its effects, for they gave up the nomadic life

58 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

they had hitherto led, devoted their attention to
agriculture and other arts necessary to the great
change they had undergone.

Although some of them afterwards returned to
their former wandering life, yet to this day the
memory of Solanus is held in benediction by these
Indians. On returning from their hunting grounds
or in their canoes from their fishing expeditions, they
talk together of our Saint, as of the one sent to them
from heaven, singing the songs he taught their fore-
fathers. They have also immortalized him in their
own songs.

Solanus passed through Chaco, teaching, baptiz-
ing and working miracles, then arrived at the great
Paraguay, which separates these two countries.
This river is very broad, from 1000 to 1200 feet,
and there was no boat to take him across. This did
not however trouble the Indians, for they would
much rather have retained their good and holy
master. But he insisted upon going, having been
sent to preach to the inhabitants across the river.
He then exhorted his flock to persevere in the true
faith, in peace and charity with one another, then
blessed them, and raising his eyes to heaven seemed
as if in ecstasy. As no boat was ready for his use,
heaven provided one of the Saint's mantle, which he
spread upon the waters and sailed in it to the oppo-
site shore, leaving his disciples filled with sorrow
and dismay ; and most joyfully was he welcomed by
the Indians of Paraguay, called Guarani.

CHAPTER VIII.

Solanus in Paraguay, Uraguay, etc.

Having thus miraculously crossed the great river,
St. Francis took possession of the country, or rather
the souls of the people as if by storm. Thfey eagerly
flocked around him, their love and esteem increasing
daily. The dialects of Paraguay differ so much
from each other, that they are in fact so many differ-
ent languages. It would, therefore, have been
almost impossible to preach to these tribes if
Solanus had been obliged, like other missionaries,
to study and learn each one ; he might have acquired
a few, but could never have mastered all of them.
How was this difficulty overcome ? By the assistance
of the Holy Spirit, as we see in the history of St.
Francis Xavier, to whom was imparted the gift of
tongues, enabling him to preach the word of God to
the people of the East Indies in any dialect of that
country. Our Saint received the same miraculous
gift, so that he could easily preach to any of the
tribes and converse familiarly with them. This, no
doubt, contributed much to the wonderful success
that everywhere attended his apostolic labors. He
continued his missions through Paraguay, Uragua}^
and along the rivers of these countries, then crossed
the La Platta, directing his course to Santa Fe, a
flourishing city founded by the Spaniards in 1573.

[59]

60 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Thence he turned his steps north-west in the direo
tion of New Cordova.

Wherever he went conversions truly miraculous
attended his labors, both among the Indians and
Europeans. He continued to practice the same
austerities which marked his zeal as a novice, and
while in the different convents in Spain, as well as
when entering upon his missionary work. His jour-
neys were always performed on foot, during which
he wore no sandals, no matter how rough the way
might be through the forests and over steep, rugged
mountains. He never carried provisions, trustiug
in Gcd for the supply of his wants.

While journeying from Santa F6, a large company
of travelers had joined him, as it is not considered
safe to travel alone in that region through fear of
the Indians and wild beasts. Among the number
were two soldiers, whose appearance was anything
but prepossessing, in fact their whole conduct
showed that they had led a reckless, sinful life. The
country through which the travelers passed was a
sterile, desolate waste, not even a tree could be
found under which they might seek rest and shelter
from the scorching sun, neither was there a drop of
water to quench their burning thirst. Four days
had thus passed, and yet no sign of relief. Some
began to complain and even curse their sad fate ;
others, more pious, appealed to heaven for help ;
while the most infamous among them, called upon
the devils in hell for assistance. The two soldiers
just mentioned seemed particularly bold in their

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 01

oaths and blasphemies, which filled the heart of our
Saint with sorrow, causing tears to flow down his
cheeks. He said to Father Andreas Fisaguirra, a
priest of the Order de Mercede. who was with him
at the time : "Although these people are unworthy
of any favor from heaven on account of the blasphe-
mies they utter, nevertheless I will show them, as
well as the rest, a spring of water. Ascend the next
hill ; there yon will find a folded paper ; two paces
distant you will see a round stone ; raise it, and
there you will find water gushing forth in abundance.

Andreas could not believe the assertion of Sola-
nus ; for how was it possible to find a spring in
such an arid desert, or even a paper, where no
European had probably ever set foot?

However not daring to contradict the word of the
Saint, he led the travelers to the little hill where the
paper and stone were found, and gushing from
beneath the latter, a crystal spring poured forth its,
limpid waters. All quenched their thirst, and were
about to examine the paper when it suddenly dis-
appeared to be seen no more. All were convinced
that this miracle had been wrought through the
intercession of Solanus, causing their love and
respect for him to increase continually.

It is related that when they had reached the spot
pointed out, our Saint, with outspread hands and
glowing countenance, was rapt in an ecstasy. Con-
tinuing the journey they all arrived at Cordova.
Passing through the city, they saw gallows erected
as if an execution was ahout to take place. St.

62 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Francis said to Father Andreas : "Do you see the
gallows? To-morrow the two soldiers who traveled
with us will be hanged for having committed mur-
der." Father Andreas did not doubt this assertion,
having witnessed so many extraordinary proofs of
St, Francis' sanctity ; nevertheless he could not
help being astonished when he saw the prophecy
verified the next day. Letters had been secretly
sent from Charka with the order to execute the sol-
diers on their arrival, or whenever they could be
taken, which the authorities did not fail to do.

The labors of our Saint among the different tribes
of Indians in South America had extended over a
period of fourteen years marked by miraculous eon-
versions and acts of heroic charity found only
among the Saints. He would have preferred to
spent the rest of his life among these Indians, but
obedience called him elsewhere, and as a true Re-
ligious he regarded the voice of obedience as the voice
of God, therefore promptly yielded to its require-
ments. He had been appointed Superior of the
missions in Tucuman, and although he had protested
that he lacked the ability necessary for the position,
he had not been allowed to resign. And now when
it seemed that his presence was absolutly needed
among the Indians, his Superiors thought otherwise,
and being truly a Saint, his sanctity was proved by
his ready obedience. "Obedience is better than
sacrifice. (Kings xv., 22.)

CHAPTER IX.

Last years in Tucuman.

We left our Saint in Cordova, a city founded in
1572 by Jerome Cabrera, a nobleman of Cordova,
on the Guadalquavir, in Spain. The country
around the former Cordova is sterile, as the little
stream, Rio Primero, is so shallow sometimes to be
almost dry, while the other creeks, Secundero, Ter*
zero and Quartero, are so impregnated with salt as
to be unfit for drinking, which leave but little pas-
ture beside the salt and rocky meadows. The vine
is cultivated to a limited extent. At the time of
which we write, Cordova was the principal rendez-
vous for travelers from Santa Fe to San Juan de la
Frontero, and was generally crowded with people
connected with the transfer business. It was an
opulent city, but the piety of its inhabitants did not
keep pace with its material prosperity ; consequently
the missionary labors of our Saint in this city were
very great, differing very much from those that he
had found necessary among the Indians. It was
not so much a work of conversion from paganism and
idolatry, as a renewing of the Spaniards, who were
already Catholics, from a life of vice and tepidity to
one of piety and fervor.

The effect of his burning words was soon per-
ceptible by a thorough reformation in their whole
[63]

64 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

conduct. A great obstacle in the work of christian-
izing the Indians was thus removed. St. Francis
Xavier found the immora4 lives of the Europeans in
India had much retarded his success among the
natives ; Solanus likewise found similar troubles
connected with his labors in the New World.

Had the early settlers in both hemispheres valued
their immortal souls more than the mortal body and
earthly riches, all the natives of the New World
would doubtless now be numbered among the true
followers of our Lord. The important mission of
our Saint at Cordova was faithfully and successfully
preached, not only in simple, earnest words, but
still more by his holy penitential life, resulting in
many remarkable conversions.

Soon the confessionals were crowded, the churches
filled to overflowing, so that others had to be erected
for the accommodation of the crowds that flocked
thither, the merchants generously donating large
sums of money for this purpose, as well as for the
erection of convents and hospitals. Some of these
buildings still stand, awakening the admiration of
the beholder.

Our Saint was very zealous in abolishing abuses
in the house of God. Observing that some of those
present did not conduct themselves properly, he
severely rebuked them, even proving his grief by
the tears he shed.

His pious, reverent demeanor, taught them what
their own conduct should be. Whenever he ap-
peared at the altar to celebrate the divine mysteries,

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 00

even the coldest heart was moved to devotion and
attention. Nothing filled his heart with greater joy
than to see the church crowded with devout wor -
shippers. On such occasions he could not remain
a silent spectator. One Christmas eve the Church
was filled with an attentive congregation ; animated
by gratitude and a lively faith they joyfully com-
memorated the mysteries of that memorable event.
Our Saint ascended the altar, shedding tears of joy
and most earnestly exhorting the people to continue
thus rejoicing in the Lord for His manifold bene-
fits. Leaving the church for a moment, he returned
with his poor violin, which had only two strings ;
however he began to play, the congregation joined
him in singing to the honor and praise of the Most
High. That Christmas eve was, no doubt, long re-
membered by those who were present, the account
being handed down through father and son to future
generations.

This joyful season seemed to increase his feelings
of love and devotion for the dear Infant Jesus almost
to an ecstasy. Then he would invite the Brothers
at the Convent to go with him to the Church, there
to sing the praises of God.

Brother John Gomez, who had great love and
veneration for our Saint, often accompanied him in
singing while he played on his violin, having prac-
tised much on this instrument while a student.
From having been so long a companion of St.
Francis, Brother John seemed to have acquired the
childlike simplicity of the Saint, so that he would

66 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

often sing when the conversation was upon the Infant
Jesus, his heart being filled with joy at the thought
of the Divine Babe of Bethlehem. The same magi-
cal influence did our Saint exercise over those who
came into his presence. He always tried to avoid
the great honor and veneration shown him by the
people, or directed it to God, the giver of every
good and perfect gift. He taught the people to
honor their Superiors, both spiritual and temporal,
and to obey those in authority, as St. Peter exhorts
the faithful. (I Peter , ii.)

Also to obey the laws, and, though wronged, never
to rebel, since it belongs to God to take vengeance.

Being informed that some tribes near Santiago de
Estero were continually quarreling among them-
selves, besides being very hostile to the Spaniards,
he hastened thither as an angel of peace. One exhor-
tation alone sufficed to restore harmony and kindly
feeling among the disputants. Public ceremonies
took place, proving to all how fully they were recon-
ciled, and to express their joy in having Solanus
with them, considering him as their father, friend
and brother. The cazics waited upon him, earnestly
requesting that he would remain with them, promis-
ing faithful and punctual obedience. The sick and
oppressed appealed to him for help ; his hand3
raised to bless them brought relief and consolation,
frequently in a miraculous manner.

Being informed that a certain Indian, named Lule,
was dangerously ill, not knowing whether he
had been baptized, Francis went immediately to

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 67

his poor hut, found him speechless and in the agon -
ies of death, whilst the desolate wife of the dying
Indian was moaning out her sorrow in a language
our Saint did not understand. However, without
losing faith and courage, he knelt down and com-
manded the poor sufferer to speak. A double mira-
cle was at once wrought, for the sick man recovered
speech, and our Saint acquired the knowledge of his
language. He gave him the necessary instruction
and baptism when the poor Indian left this world
soon after, dying in the presence of his saintly
teacher.

One afternoon all the inhabitants of St. Miguel
had assembled to witness the national game of bull-
fighting. The animal to be fought that day was
unusually enraged. Having received several serious
wounds, he escaped beyond the wooden enclosure,
killing and wounding a number of Indians. The
furious beast finding himself at liberty, rushed down
a street where our Saint was walking. The Govern-
nor, Juan Velasko, seeing the great danger to which
the holy man was exposed, at once ordered all the
men within the arena to hasten to his rescue. This
help would, however, have been too late, had not
divine Providence previously assisted him. Strong
in his faith, St. Francis walked quietly on, meet-
ing the flashing eyes of the bull by a firm, steady
look ; then, simply raising his cord, the animal,
still bleeding from his many wGunds, stopped sud-
denly, then approached our Saint, licked the cord,
and moaned gently, as if complaining of the cruelty

68 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

of those who had thus made him suffer. This oc-
curred in sight of the governor and people, who all
rose, and having ordered the animal to be taken to
the enclosure, exclaimed in wonder at the miracle
just wrought. The governor addressed the Saint
saying: "Thou art the matadore." "Not I," he
replied, "but our Lord; and I thank the God of
Heaven and Earth for this special grace just be-
stowed, for, indeed, the bull was very angry as I
could see by his fierce looks." It is not related
whether this occurrence abated the passion for this
dangerous amusement.

After a very laborious mission our Saint returned
to Rioxa so sick and fatigued that he was obliged
to go to bed. But even while suffering from a
burning fever, Solanus did not forget his dear chil-
dren in Christ. In a vision he sa w the great peril to
which an Indian woman was exposed at that time.
As it was impossible for him to go to her assistance
he suffered the agonies of death. At length he said
to the Brother who waited on him : "Brother, go to
the sacristy, where you will find a priest who has
just arrived ; tell him to come to me at once."
The priest was Manuel Nunnez, of San Miguel.
On a previous occasion being very much troubled
and perplexed about some affair, Solanus gave him
the needed aid and relief, clearing away all his
doubts before he had even made them known.

On the present occasion our Saint urged him to
hasten to the poor Indian woman. She was the
servant of Pietro Sotelo, and, having been repri-

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 69

manded by her master, was about to commit suicide.
Nunnez left at oace for the place designated. On
the road he met a man, who sold pigeons. The two
entered into conversation, and becoming very much
interested, the time passed faster than either had
expected. What was the horror of the priest to
find the Indian woman hanging on a tree at the
very place to which he had been directed. He
could do nothing for her, and, greatly distressed,
returned to Solanus, informing him of what he had
just witnessed. Our Saint had already seen the
whole affair as in a vision, and wept bitterly over
the untimely end of the poor woman, reprimanding
the priest severely. He ordered that the body be
taken down and burned as was the custom there in
such cases, adding that he would deliver the funeral
oration. The sermon of our Saint was so forcible
and impressive that henceforth no suicides were
committed in Rioxa. Miracles so frequently at-
tended the labors of Solanus that his whole life
might well be called a continuation of miracles.

In traveling from San Miguel to Santiago del
Estero, his companion was Brother Peter Bildosola
Gambra, who had been so busy making preparations
for the journey. Our Saint was greatly amused at
his anxiety, and said with a pleasant smile, uAway
with your anxiety, we travel under the protection
of God, who will give us more than your pockets
can hold." The Brother was somewhat displeased.
They, however, proceeded on their way, and soon
came to a little stream called "Deep Geek." It is

70 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

usually so shallow that foot passengers can easily
tross it, but during the rainy season the waters are
very much swollen. Such was the case at this
time, the river being deep and the current so strong,
there seemed no way of crossing for some weeks at
least. All were tired and hungry, so that Brother
Peter would have been very glad to have had some
of the provisions he had left behind. Travelers hac?
collected on both sides of the creek, some of whom
began to murmur and even became very angry.
Brother Peter also became one of the complainers,
and thinking of his well-filled knapsack at home,
remarked how nice it would be if they had it now.
Solanus rebuked him, saying: uBe quiet, Brother;
I told you God would provide." Then turning to-
wards his fellow-travelers he predicted that they
would be able to cross the stream at nine o'clock the
next morning, adding: "The stream will then be
shallow and the waters at rest. And as you are all
suffering from hunger, I will give you something to
eat." Having thus encouraged the people he drew
forth a little fishing net, he carried with him, and
casting it into the water, caught enough fish to sat-
isfy all the people. At night they retired to rest,
making themselves as comfortable as circumstances
would permit, hoping the prediction of Solanus
would be verified the next morning. Their anxiety
was of course very great, but at the appointed hour
the waters had so far subsided that all could cross
over without any difficulty. Among the number
was Franciscus Nunnez, a priest, who returned

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 71

thanks to our Saint, in the name of all for their safe
deliverance. To prove still more forcibly that a
miracle had been wrought, the waters rushed back
again and flowed rapidly as on the day before, when
the last person had crossed over. Solanus and the
Brother continued their journey. About three o'clock
in the afternoon a heavy rain fell, but the latter
noticed that, while his own habit was thoroughly
drenched, that of our Saint was perfectly dry. The
Brother reverently kissed it, saying: "Father, how
is it that your clothes are dry while mine are so
wet?" Solanus humbly replied: " Brother, God
has so willed it."

They arrived at Santiago in the evening, when
the Brother related all the wonderful events of
their journey. When he repeated the same the
next day to the officer, Peter Gonzales, the latter
replied: "Do not be astonished, for Solanus is a
holy man." If our Saint had such power while on
earth, how much greater must it now be that he is
in the enjoyment of Heaven, where "Death shall be
no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall
be any more, for the former things are passed
away." (Apoc. XXI., 4.)

CHAPTER X.

Solanus leaves Tucuman, Lima and Truxillo.

We have followed St. Francis thus far in his
travels through Tucuman, we have seen him preach-
ing to the poor, ignorant natives and working mir-
acles, thereby proving his mission. Let us now
return to Lima, the capital of Peru. In this great
city had been established the Provincial Franciscan
Convent of the "Twelve Apostles." This monas-
tery was quite large and the spirit of St. Francis of
Assissi was well preserved there. To advance more
and more in religious perfection, the members of the
Province used every means to cultivate the spirit of
prayer and recollection. For this purpose some of
the Convents were more retired, being removed from
the noise and tumult of the busy world. The most
fervent among the religious retired thither, that be-
ing wholly secluded they might hold intimate con-
verse with God in holy meditation. Among these
saintly religious was a lay-brother named Andreas
Corso ; he commenced one of these retreats near the
city of Lima, calling it "The Convent of Santa
Maria de los Ange]os,,, L e., Mary of the Angels.
Here indeed the requirements found in the "General
Statutes" of the Order were fully carried out, viz :
"A place of spiritual rest and nursery of perfection
for the welfare of the whole Province." Solanus
was appointed to continue the work so happily com-

[72]

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 73

menced here. Father Antonius Ortiz as Commissary
General, presided at a chapter of the whole Province,
when it was unanimously decided to recall Solanus
from his mission among the Indians.

We have already learned in the preceding chap-
ter of his appointment as guardian of the Mission
in Tucuman. Having held the office for a year the
Provincial yielded to his earnest entreaties to be re-
leased from the office. When the order recalling
him to Lima came, great was the sorrow and con-
sternation among the Indians, feeling they cou!d
not part with him who had indeed been their father
and protector. He, however, could not yield to
their urgent entreaties to remain, since the voice of
obedience called him elsewhere, and as a true Relig-
ious he would rather die than disobey his superiors.

Seeing there remained no alternative but to go,
the poor Indians asked for some little remembrance
of one so dear to them all. But what could he give
them from his poverty, he who possessed nothing?
One of the chiefs asked for his cord, which Solanus
gave, the rest envying the happy possessor of this
precious treasure. It became in turn the property
of the principal families in Tucuman, and was the
means of effecting many cures.

When the time for departure came, our Saint con-
cluded to do so secretly, having previously made
two announcements which appeared like prophecies.
A wealthy man offered him money for the expenses
of his long journey : "Keep it," said Francis, smil-
ing, "for you will be so poor as to need alms for

<4 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

your bnrial." The gentleman was astonished, but
Solanus patting him on the shoulders, continued :
"Yes, yes, my friend, what I have said will infal-
libly come to pass." And so it proved ; four years
later the rich man sold all his possessions and en-
tered the Franciscan Order where he died in pover-
ty as was predicted. The other prophecy of our
Saint was that "Talavera would be destroyed, new
mines discovered, and between Santa Fe and San
Miguel a new city build ; finally that all Chako
would be converted. " A portion of this prediction
has been verified, viz : Talavera is no more ; mines
have been discovered. The latter part of the
prophecy though not yet verified, will be, no doubt,
as divine Providence shall decree. Solanus depart-
ed alone on his wearisome journey of 700 miles.
At length he reached the Convent of Chuquisaba,
200 miles from Lima. The Guardian was very
much surprised to see our Saint waiting at the door
alone and asking a night's lodging, as it seemed
impossible he could have traversed that long dis-
tance without a guide at least. And so it would
have been for an ordinary person, put for a saint it
was comparatively easy. During this journey he
stopped for one da}T at the Convent at Potosi. It
was the Feast of St. Francis of Assissi, Oct. 4th.
While at dinner with Solanus, the Guardian said in
honor of the day and of his guest, "Brethren, to-day
let us be glad and rejoice in the Lord." This dis-
pleased some of the Religious who were either very
sad or thought silence should on no account be

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 75

broken. Their thoughts were seen in their serious
faces. Solanus observed this, and notwithstanding
his love for silence and retirement, as well as being
much fatigued, he left his seat at the table and began
to dance in the middle of the refectory, at the same
time urging all to be cheerful and hsppy. His ad-
vise was readily taken. — Ecclesiasticus says : "All
things have their season. A time to weep and a
time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to
dance." (Eccl. iii., 1 to 4.) Thomas a Kempis
says: "Evil ought not to be done either for any
thing in the world or for the love of any man ; but
for the profit of one that stands in need, a good
work is sometimes freely to be omitted, or rather to
be changed for a better. (Bk. I., ch. xv.) Without
charity the outward work profiteth nothing ; but
whatever is done in the spirit of charity, be it ever
so little and worthless in itself, will become fruitful
as St. Paul teaches in Cor. xiii., 3. Our Lord
considers the love and desire with which a person
performs the work, rather than how much he does,
as we can read in St. Luke vii., 47. Thomas
a Kempis says again: "He does well who regards
rather the common good than his own will. He
does much that loves much ; he does much that does
well what he does." (Bk. I., chapt. xv.) There-
fore in the strictest communities recreation and
cheerful conversation are allowed on Sundays, Holi-
days, and during the visits of friends. In such cases
one good work is omitted or changed for another
and better, that of charity.

76 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

On his arrival at Lima, our Saint knew that his
superior had appointed him Guardian of the Con-
vent Santa Maria de los Angelos. He so strongly ob-
jected to holding office of any kind, that they yielded
to his wishes, in a measure, by naming him Vicar in-
stead of Guardian, appointing to the latter office
one who was weak and sickly, so that in the end
the chief duties and responsibility would fall upon
Solanus.

While he was thus laboring in the retirement of
the secluded little Convent near the great metropolis
of Lima, the poor Indians of Tucuman were weep-
ing and bitterly lamenting the loss of their dear
friend and teacher. Their sorrow was not only
shown in this way. Many a petition was sent to
the Commissary, Antonius Ortiz, urging the return
of Solanus. He would readily have yielded to their
earnest entreaties had the health of our Saint per-
mitted.

The next year a new Commissary General, Fr.
Juan de Monte Major, was sent over from Spain.
He insisted that our Saint should be the Guardian
of Santa Maria de los Angelos. Finding that he
had again been appointed to this office, Solanus
went to a retired part of the garden, and sitting un-
der a tree, gave vent to his grief in tears and sobs.
Father Juan seeing his deep sorrow, yielded to his
wishes, and withdrew the nomination for that time.
But soon finding how much good Solanus would ac-
complish as Guardian, appointed him to that po-
sition afterwards. But his tears and grief were

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 77

again renewed, and going to the Commissary at St.
Magdalena fell on his knees, and refused to rise un-
til the nomination was withdrawn. Father Juan
a^ain yielded to his wishes and the election was
annulled.

Feeling sure that honorable appointments of some
kind would be his portion if he remained in Lima,
St. Francis earnestly petitioned to be removed to
some more retired Convent. His superiors yielded
the more readily to his wishes, as they noticed his
health was gradually failing, and, therefore, sent him
to the Convent at Truxillo, about 80 miles north of
Lima. Here he could breathe freely and at the
same time give full vent to his zeal for the salvation
of souls and his desire to relieve the wretched and
suffering. This arrangement, however, did not last
long. The next year (1603) a new Commissar y ar-
rived, the renowned Father Juan Yenido, who after-
wards became Bishop of Lima. He was a very en-
ergetic, inflexible person, and soon after his appoint-
ment at Truxillo, commanded Solanus, in obedience
to accept the office of Guardian.

As we already know, our Saint could not refuse
where obedience was concerned, and, therefore, ac-
cepted the Guardianship at Truxillo. The next
year he was transferred to the Convent of Santa
Maria de los Angelos, near Lima, having been ap-
pointed to the same office by the general chapter
held there. Although his tears and entreaties
proved his great repugnance, which prevailed so far
over his love of obedience that he handed in his

78 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

resignation eleven times during the next four
months ; the last time it was accepted. He then
most humbly knelt down before the Com-
missary and community, acknowledging his utter
inability to hold any office, most earnestly begging
to be allowed to take the last place as being the
only one for which he was fitted. All were deeply
touched by this great humility, even the Commissary
did violence to his own feelings in giving Solanus a
severe reprimand for what he called his repeated
obstinacy, saying he should receive what he desired
and what was justly his due, that is, be deposed from
office.

On hearing this, the joy of Solanus could not be
restrained, he gave vent to it by shedding tears,
kissing his Superior's hand and dancing like a child
who has received some new toys. Here, indeed,
was true humility, such as Thomas a Kempis des-
cribes when he says: uHe that seeketh anything
else but simply God and the salvation of his soul,
will find nothing but trouble and sorrow. Neither .
can he remain long in peace, who does not strive to
be the least and subject to all. (Bk. I., ch. 17.)

His Superior no longer urged our Saint to accept
any office, leaving him in peace and at liberty to
follow his own inclinations. They well knew that
he was a "chosen vessel," destined by God for some
extraordinary work.

We will now follow him in his labors among the
inhabitants of Lima and the neighboring cities.
Being released from official duties, he could freely

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 4lJ

devote his time to the salvation of souls, urged on
by his great love for God.

It was his custom to rise at 11 o'clock at night,
and spend an hour in the church preparing for the
Divine Office, which he recited with his FeLo v-relig-
ious at midnight, according to the rule of the Order
and as he had already done in Spain. This was
followed by meditation ; but when the other Eel g-
ious retired to rest, our Saint would still remain in
the church continuing his meditations upon the mys-
teries of our holy Religion, frequently interrupting
them by fervent ejaculations of love or sorrow, as
his Confessor has frequently watched him unob-
served. The porter had often found him there at
four o'clock in the morning in a state of ecstasy. At
the end of Prime he would scourge himself severely
and then prepare for the celebration of Holy Mass.
During the Divine Sacrifice, he was almost con-
sumed by the fire of holy love, his face glowing as
if transfigured. People flocked in crowds to the lit-
tle church of Santa Maria de los Angelos to be
present when our Saint officiated. All considerei
it an honor to serve at his Mass, but finally yielded
to the earnest desires of his Excellency, the Viceroy
of Peru, Couut Ludovicus of Velasco, \^ho came
frequently to this church for that purpose, his tears
often flowing freely as he witnessed the seraphic
countenance of our Saint. Love for God constantly
increased in his soul, the blessed name of Jesus
sounding like sweet music in his ears. A physician
one day called at the Monastery, to converse with

80 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Solanus. Reference being made to the love of God,
he immediately became so enraptured with the
thought, that, fearing he should lose ail self-control,
at once left the room. The doctor could not under-
stand the cause of this strange and even impolite
conduct. The religious present were not in the
least surprised, saying it was no unusual occurrence,
at the same time relating a similar instance. On
the Feast of the Visitation Solanus had given a con-
ference to the Poor Clares, choosing as his s lbject
"The Magnificat." As he was about to explain,
ftie words: "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God,
my Savior," (Luke I. 47) he was obliged to pause
through the excess of his feelings. Then raising
his eyes towards Heaven he uttered wonderful
things regarding the Mother of God, showing that
he must have been truly inspired. Then having
twice repeated : uMy spirit hath rejoiced," he was
rapt in an ecstasy, which lasted a quarter of an
hour. When it was over he was so covered with
confusion at the thought of what had just occurred,
that having reverently adored the most Blessed
Sacrament, he hastened away without saying an-
other word. The Brothers expected to find him
pnying, and after searching in various places, he
was seen in the garden, embracing a crucifix, his
countenance inflamed like that of a Saint having
just left his Heavenly home.

We trust the reader will pardon a slight digres-
sion and allow us to quote from Prescott's "Con-
quest of Peru," (Vol. 1., p. 21.) where the famous

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 81

historian speaks of the foundation of Lima by Piz-
arro, in 1535.*

The city of Lima, commenced on so grand a
scale, had amassed great wealth, and during the
time of its prosperity, the inhabitants had given
themselves to luxury and pleasure with all the vices
that wealth entails. Seventy years had passed since
its foundation, and now Solanus came, like another
Jonas, to preach penance to these misguided people.

While still Guardian of the Monastery Ste. Maria
de los Angelos, he left the Convent one evening,
telling the porter to recommend him to God, as he
was about to undertake a great work. He pro-
ceeded to the Plaza, and soon an immense crowd
assembled around him.

* ' 'The first act of Pizarro was to determine on a site for the fu-
ture Capital of this vast colonial Empire. Cusco, wi hdrawn
am ng the mountains was altogether too far ?emoved from the sea
coast for a commercial people. The little settlement of San Miguel
lay too far to the north. It was desirable to select some more cen-
tral position, which cuild be easily found in one of the fruitful
valleys that bordered the Pacific. Such was that of Pacbacamac,
which P zarro n w occupipd Put on further examination he pre-
ferred the neighboring valley of Rimac, which lay to the north,
and whirh took its name, signifying in the Quichna tongue, 'one
wl o speaks,' from a celebrated idol, whose shrine was frequent-
ed by the Indians for the oracles it delivered. J hrough the valley
flowed a bmad stream, which like a great artery, was made, as
u mil, by th- natives to supply a thousand firm rivers that mean-
dered through the beavt'ful mradows.

On this river Pizarro fixed the site of his new Capital, at some-
wh t less than two leagues distance from its mouth, which ex-
panded into a commodious haven for commerce that the prophetic
eye oi the founder saw would, some day—and no very distant one
—float en its waters.

The central situation of the spot recommends it as a suitable res-
idence for a Peruvian Viceroy, whence he might hold easy com-
municaton with the different parts of the country and keep vig-
ilant watch over his Indian vassels

The climate was delightful, and although only 12 degrees south
of the line was so far tampered by the cool breezes that generally
blew from the Pacific or irom the opposite quarter, or down the
frozen sides ot the Cordilleras that the heat was less than corres-
ponding latitudes on the Continent. It never rained on the coast,
but this dryness was corrected by a vaporous cloud, which through

82 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

He commenced his discourse by quoting from the
first Epistle of St. John, ii., 16 : "All that is in the
world is the concupiscence of the flesh and the con-
cupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life." He
declared this assertion of the Apostle to be literally
true of the city of Lima, for it was buried in sins and
vices. Having most forcibly and graphically des-
cribed the wickedness of the people in a loud voice,
he uttered against them the fearful threats and
judgments of the Almighty, from whom they had re-
ceived the full measure of grace and mercy, and
unless they would immediately do penance, all

the warmer months hung like a curtain over the valley, sheltering
it from the rays of a irop Leal sun, and imperceptibly distllirg a
refreshing moisture that clothed the Held in the brightest verdure.
The name bestowed on the infant Capital was "Ciudad de los
Reyes," or "Tre City of the Kings," in honor of the day, it be-
ing the 6'h of January, 1535, the Festival of the Epiphany, when
it was said to have been founded, or more probably when its site
was determined as its actual foundation seems to have been ten
days later. But the Castilian name ceased to be used, even within
the first generation, and was supplanted by that of Lima, into
which the oi iginal Indian name of Kimac was corrupted by the
Indians. This city was laid out in a very regular plan. The
streets were to be much wider that usual in Spanish towns, and
perfectly straight, crossing one another at right angles, and so
far asunder as to afford space for gardens to the dwellings and for
public squares. It was arranged in triangular form, having the
river for its base, the waters of which were to be carried by
means of fcton* conducts, through all the principal streets, afford-
ing facilities for irrigating the grounds around the houses. No
sooner had the governor decided on the site and on the plan of
the city than he commenced operations with characteristic
energy.

The Ind'ans were collected from a distance of more than a hun-
dred miles, to aid in the work. The Spauiards applied themselves
with vigor to the task under the eye of their chief. The sword was
exchanged for the tool of the artisan. The camp was converted
into a hive of diligent laborers; and the sounds of war were suc-
ceeded by the peaceful hum of a busy population.

The Plaza, which was extensive, was to be surrounded by the
Cathedral, the palace of the Viceroy, that of the municipality,
and other public buildings; and their foundations were laid on a
scale and with a solidity which defied the assault of time, and in
s me instances, the more formidable shock of earthquakes, that
at different periods have 1 id portions of the fair Capital in ruins.
(PrescoU's Conquest of Peru, vol, i., p. 21.)

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 83

should iniserabb7 perish. He then concluded with
these words :

"Your bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost, but
you have degraded thern by your sins." Then with
the fervor of a prophet, he exclaimed: "Open
them ; open your houses and your temples to con-
cupiscence, and I foretell your perdition !" All
were deeply affected by these words ; a feeling of
sadness pervaded the whole assembly. Some, how-
ever, misunderstood the meaning of our Saint's
warning, and thought he predicted the destruction
of their houses and temples. As earthquakes had
often threatened the overthrow of Lima, they firmly
believed this calamity awaited them. Hence
the terrified people immediately ran through the
streets exclaiming : "Lima will perish! Solanus,
the Holy Father, has announced it." The whole city
was soon in an uproar, each one striking his breast
and saying : "Oh, Lord ! be merciful unto me a sin-
ner." Ill-gotton goods were restored ; enemies re-
conciled, the churches crowded with penitents seek-
ing the Confessionals in expectation of the predic-
tion soon to be fulfilled. The excitement increased to
such a degree that the Viceroy, Caspar de M 3nte Rey,
convened the royal council, «* n 1 called for the arch
bishop Torribius Ildefons Mongrovio (who was
afterwards canonized by Innocent XII.)

This prudent prelate immediately sent for the
Commissary General of the Franciscan Convent of
St. Francis de Jesu. The Commissary knew noth-
ing more than could be learned from general reports

84 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

floating through the city. However he despatched
a policeman at once to Santa Maria de los Angelos,
summoning Solanus before the royal council. The
porter hastened to the church where the brothers
were reciting Matins and Lauds. Being mu,ch
excited, he said something in a confused way about
the viceroy and archbishop ; also that the policeman
was waiting to take Solanus before these dignitaries.
All were, of course, terrified and astonished, not
knowing what it could mean, fearing for both Sola-
nus and themselves. The former, however, remained
calm and unmoved, kneeling before one of the fathers
to receive his blessing. A brother, in passing, told
him not to fear, to whom our Saint replied : "Know,
brother John, that I have preached at the command
of God." On arriving at the royal palace, the
Commissary General requested him to repeat the
discourse he had delivered to the people at the
Plaza, urging him to fear nothing whatever. Sola-
nus replied : "He who trusts in God alone has no
cause for fear." He then turned towards the august
assembly awaiting him, which consisted of the
Archbishop, Viceroy and other dignitaries of both
church and state, and spoke to them with the same
fire, zeal and unction as when he addressed the
people. The effect was also equally great, all were
so much affected that even the prelates and high
officials proved their sorrow b}r sobs and tears, im-
agining that the days of Lima were numbered, and
it would soon be only a heap of ruins. When the
Viceroy had somewhat recovered from his fear, he

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOL ANUS. £5

ventured to ask if it was really true that this very
night Lima would be destroyed, burying the just
and the unjust alike in one common grave. Sola-
nus now discovered the mistake — fortunate though
it was — that had been made, and told the people ;
he did not intend to predict an actual destruction of
the city, but that he had been sent by God to an-
nounce the moral perdition of the people if they did
net repent, but this sentence was now averted by
the public penance of the inhabitants.

At this declaration the whole assembly drew a
sigh of relief, as if they had just escaped a terrible
accident, and the Viceroy exclaimed: "Here, no
doubt, is the hand of the Almighty proving the
sanctity of His Apostle." He desired Francis to
give this explanation in writing and affix
his signature thereto. To the same document
was added the royal seal of the Viceroy with these
remarkable words : "Let us not continue longer in
wickedness. This is indeed the work of God and
an inspiration of the Holy Ghost, who made use of
this means to soften the obdurate hearts of sinners,
and confirm them anew in Divine grace." Copies
of this declaration were posted all over the city,
and thus calmed the excitement that had reigned
everywhere. The inhabitants of Lima continued
their exercises of penance, knowing too well that
otherwise the prediction of Solanus would be ful-
filled ; in fact our Saint was like a second Jonas to
the city of Lima. Hence, to him might well be ap-
plied the words of Holy Writ : "Now the word of

86 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

the Lord caine to Jonas, son of Amatha, saying :
Arise, and go to Ninive, the great city, and preach
in it, for the wickedness thereof is come up before
me." (Chap. I., 1 and 2.) "And the word of the
Lord came to Jonas the second time, saying : Arise
and go to Ninive, the great city, and preach in it
the preaching that I bid thee.— And Jonas began to
enter the city — and cried and said : Yet forty days
and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men of
Ninive believed in God, and they proclaimed a fast
and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least.
And God saw their works that they were turned
from their evil ways, and God had mercy with re-
gard to the evil which He had said that He would
do to them and He did it not." (Jonas II.)

The city of Truxillo did not share the happy fate
of Lima, as the people failed to take warning from
the counsels and threatenings of Solanus. In 1603
he wept while preaching to the people from the pul-
pit of the Convent Church. He urged them to do
penance and be prepared for the fate awaiting them,
as the whole city would be destroyed by an earth-
quake on account of its wickedness ; adding that
the pulpit from which he then preached would alone
remain standing amid the ruins, as a witness to this
prediction. But the people of Truxillo were incred-
ulous, laughed at the assertion and continued their
sinful life.

However two pious persons, Didacus Sanchez
and his wife, Maria Ortega, having more faith, left
the city and removed to Lima. But after the death

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 87

of our Saint they were pursuaded to return to Trux-
illo, where they perished with the rest of the inhab-
itants on the 14th of February 1618, when an earth-
quake buried the entire city without a moment's
warning.

An old lady is reported to have been saved, hav-
ing taken shelter under the very pulpit mentioned
above, which even the falling of the heavy ceiling
did not overthrow. Thus the prediction of Solanus
was fulfilled to the very letter.

It now became evident that our Saint was not an
ordinary preacher of the word of God, but an in-
spired Apostle of Jesus Christ, who said to his dis-
ciples when sending them to preach : "It is not you
that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speak-
eth in you." (Matt, x., 20.)

Hence we find him everywhere exercising this di-
vine function. He even went to the market places
where crowds of people had assembled eagerly seek-
ing to accumulate the riches of this world. With a
voice that echoed through the busy streets, he would
cry out : "Love God ; do not offend Him, for He
has died for us on the cross." Then most tenderly
kissing his crucifix, he would exclaim : "Oh ! who
could not love Thee, my God, who art indeed so
worthy of our love !" Then he would go elsewhere,
still preaching penance to the people.

On one occasion, Brother Juan Gomez accompan-
ied him to Lima. They came to the magnificent
Plaza de los Mercadores, i. e., Merchants' Exchange.

Francis soon perceiving that the devil was the

88 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

chief director of the business, was overwhelmed
with grief and sadness. Taking his crucifix and
looking earnestly for a moment, he exclaimed in a
voice that filled the people with terror: "0 ye
sinners, I beseech }'0u, do not offend our Lord who
sacrificed Himself for you ; He entreats you not to
crucify Him anew by your sins." Having uttered
these words he passed through the streets so quick-
ly that Brother Juan Gomez had to take hold of the
Saint's cord to keep pace with him. It frequently
happened that his companion was left behind, so
rapidly did our Saint walk, urged by his gr.at love
for God. On several occasions he was seen to be
raised from the ground and carried through the air
by divine power. These miracles are well authen-
ticated and to reject them would be to deny all hu-
man testimony.

Here then we have the key to the marvelous effect
of the sermons of the saintly Solanus, viz : the holi-
ness of his life and the miracles that he wrought
everywhere. He was always prepared to preach,
not being limited to time or place. In imitation of
Jesus Christ, his divine Master, and St. Francis of
Assissi, his beloved Father, his pulpit could be
erected anywhere. If he found only a few people
assembled in the church, he would preach for a short
time words of faith and encouragement. On one
occasion he entered a saloon and addressed the peo-
ple he found there, reminding them of the thirst our
Lord suffered when dying on the cross for love of
them. At another time he went to the theatre,

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. SS

when the actors were already on the stage ; he did
not go to listen, but to denounce the wickedness and
immorality usually connected with theatrical per-
formances. He appeared upon the stage, and spoke
to the audience of the great drama once enacted on
Calvary. At the conclusion he exclaimed: "The
Most High has humbled Himself; the Almighty has
trembled with fear, and He who is happiness itself
has been overwhelmed with sadness. What a drama
to see the great and mighty Lord to whom the stars
sing honor and praise, who is seated on the Cheru-
bim and holds in His hands the whole universe. He
has humbled Himself beneath the foot of man and
offered His Divine face to be mocked and in-
sulted by sinful scoffers. "

On hearing these impressive words, the actors left
the stage and from the audience was heard general
lamentation and weeping instead of the usual ap-
plause.

The words of Solanus had deeply touched their
hearts, a great change had been wrought, and they
returned home in a far different manner than they
had usually done when leaving the theatre, "for
the words of Saints have a secret unction not found
elsewhere. " — (Rev. Candide Chalippe, Life of St.
Francis of Assissi, translated from the French, by
the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri,
London. New York : D. & J. Sadlier & Co.)

One night,in 1600, there was a terrible earthquake
in Lima, so violent that it roused the people from
their sleep. The next day all the churches were

90 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

crowded with suppliants begging for mercy. The
Friars knelt before the altar and clianted the Mise-
rere. Soon a low, heavy dull sound was heard, win-
dows clashed, the foundations of the church were
shaken, the altar candelsticks seemed ready to fall,
and the whole assembly ran to the doors. At this
moment, Solanus arose and having said a few words,
order was restored ; he then began to preach, and
with such force and fervor, that not only the people,
but the Religions wept bitterly. Their fear had been
aroused by the earthquake, but was increased still
more by the earnest and powerful words of Solanus.
He added, however, that at present they had no
cause for fear.

The success of a sermon or instruction, no doubt,
depends, to a great extent, on the preacher himself,
yet by no means entirely. The grace of God is the
chief and essential aid in this work.

We have seen that the inhabitants of Lima heeded
the warnings given and did penance for their sins ;
while those of Truxillo turned a deaf ear and suffer-
ed the terrible penalty for their disobedience.

St. Paul says : "I have planted ; Apollo watered,
but God gave the increase." (I. Cor., 3. to 6.)
The blessing of God, so all-important, is partially
obtained by the devout and holy life of the preacher
and by his fervent prayers, which he should never
fail to offer most earnestly for his hearers, who
should also cooperate faithfully with him in this
blessed work. In order then to draw profit from
the instructions given, they should listen attentively

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 91

to what is said, rather than to how it is said. They
should receive with humility the reproofs given
for their tepid and wicked conduct ; apply the in-
structions to themselves rather than to others, and
afterwards regulate their lives accordingly.

But as many neglect to do this, "being hearers
rather than doers of the Word," we should not be
surprised that so many sermons and instructions do
not produce the desired effect.

CHAPTER XI.

Death of Solanus.

In May, 1610 our Saint began to suffer severely
from a complication of diseases, which compelled
him at last to keep his bed. But as his bodily
strength failed, the powers of his soul seemed to
gain new strength and vigor.

A crucifix was placed at the foot of his bed to
which he frequently turned his eyes, thanking his
Heavenly Father for the privilege of being permitted
to suffer for his sins and thus deemed worthy of
sharing in the sufferings of our Redeemer. He also
returned thanks to his Lord and Master for thus
taking revenge on his body. The interior emotions
of his grateful heart were sometimes so intense as
to break forth in exclamations of holy gladness. It
seemed as if he saw our Lord bodily present in his

92 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

little cell, when he would exclaim : "Venite adore-
mus et procidamus ante Deum." "Come let us adore
and fall down before God." (Ps. 9.) ^Ye may,
therefore, believe that our Saint was favored with
many visions during his illness. It became gradually
so serious that the attending physicians, Peter
Rodriguez Toras and Martin Sanchez thought it
advisable to have the last Sacraments administered.
When Solanus was told of this he replied : B 'There is
still time enough, for I am not so ill as that, yet I
am only too glad to receive so loving a guest."

The reception of the Sacraments seemed to impart
new vigor to the invalid, so that Father John Venido
thought he might perhaps be able to gain the Por-
tinucula Indulgence on August 2nd. Having over-
heard this last remark, he said: "Not that one;
however, I trust I may gain it on St. Bonaventure's
Feast, July 14th." From this remark, as well as
others which he made, it is evident the day of his
death had been made known to him.

A few days before his death, many birds of most
beautiful plumage appeared at the window of his
room, singing melodious airs never before heard
in Spain or South America ; their music even con-
tinued during the night ; nothing seemed to disturb
or frighten them away ; were the angels of conso-
lation sent to cheer our Saint in his last moments?

On the third day before his death, a Fellow-religi-
ous came to arrange his bed, so that it would be
more comfortable. "What?" exclaimed the Saint,
fciMy Jesus is hanging on the cross, and shall I be

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 93

served by others ! My Jesus naked, and shall I be
carefully covered ? My Jesus wounded with blows
and stripes and crowned with thorns, and shall I re-
ceive so much kindness and attention ?" Then he
groaned as if deeply grieved while tears of compas-
sion bathed his cheeks. The next day, while many
were with him, he exclaimed : "God be praised !
What mercy towards one who has deserved to be
trodden under foot like the sand of the desert ; in-
stead of this Thou sendest me Thy angels, these
good brothers, who are all busy for my sake." Then
he earnestly exhorted them all to love God and
serve Him according to their state as Religious.
The rest of the time he was wholly occupied in
prayer and communion with God, in making acts of
love and other virtues.

He was anointed two days before his death and
thus prepared for the last struggle, if the passage of
a Saint from earth to heaven can be so called. He
showed his great love for poverty by asking permis-
sion of his Guardian to be buried in the poorest
habit that could be found in the Convent. He then
most humbly asked pardon of all for the scandalous
life — as he called it — which he had led. On the
eve of his death he was rapt in so profound an
ecstasy that many thought him to be really dead.
Having recovered his senses, he exclaimed: "I
rejoiced at the things that were said to me, we shall
go into the house of the Lord." (Ps. CXXL, 1.)
From that very moment the ecstatic joy of his soul
was plainly visible on his radiant and beautiful

94 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

countenance, he seemed, indeed, to have a certain
foretaste of the glory awaiting him. A brother said to
our Saint : "When the Heavenly Father shall have
taken thee, remember me." To which he replied :
"Indeed, I will. I go to heaven through the merits
of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, although
I am the greatest of sinners. When I enter my true
home, I will remember thee and be thy true friend."
The Feast of St. Bonaventure dawned, the fever
seemed suddenly to abate. His expectorations,
which had until then been very nauseous, now
became sweet and agreeable. His hands, which
before were almost as dry and hard as wood, now
assumed a natural appearance, becoming very soft
and flexible. From this change the Religious began
to have a little hope of the saintly Father's recovery.
Some of them, however, commenced the prayers for
the dying, and when they pronounced the "Glory be
to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,"
St. Francis opened his eyes and uttered his favorite
exclamation: " Glorlficetur Deus" "God be
praised." The psalms having been recited, the
Brothers said the Credo, while the birds at the win-
dows accompanied them with their singing. When
they had said : "Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto
ex Maria Virgine : Who was conceived of the
Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary," the Elevation
bell rang, which announced the Consecration at the
Mass celebrated in honor of St. Bonaventure ; at
that sacred moment St. Francis yielded up his soul
to God who gave it. His eyes rested upon the

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 95

crucifix, his arms were extended in the form of a
cross, while he uttered his favorite prayer: "Glori-
ficetur DeusT

He expired at the age of 61, at 11 a. m., July
14th, 1610.

Let us learn from this great Saint how to die
well!

CHAPTER XII.

Occurrences at the Death and Burial of St. Francis
Solanus.

When the soul of St. Francis Solanus had left its
"earthly tabernacle," his body was clothed as he
had desired in a very old and worn habit, for his
Fellow-religious endeavored to cany out, although
in this respect unwillingly, the last wishes of their
deceased Father. In the afternoon his remains
were carried to the oratory of the Infirmary and
placed on a bier, which had been prepared. His
peaceful, radiant countenance, even in death,
filled the beholder with admiration. There seemed
something supernatural in the calm expression of
his face. His eyes which before had been closed
to the vanities of earth, were now opened wide, and
His body, during life so frail and emaciated, now
became well- developed ; the flesh, hitherto dry and
hard, especially that of the feet and hands, was

06 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOL ANUS.

terder and smooth ; the limbs, instead of being cold
and rigid, became flexible and retained their natural
degree of heat. Finally, the room itself shared in
these marvels, being filled with a most agreeable
odor.

Seventeen hours after his death, ala}'-brother was
tempted to procure some relics of the Saint and tried
to cut a lock of hair and a nail from his toe. But
he was unfortunate and each time cut the skin, but
it only served to make known the wonders of God ;
for, from each incision the blood oozed red and warm
to the great astonishment of the two physicians who
were present.

The Viceroy of Peru, Count de Monte Claro,
hearing of the Saint's death, sent immediately to the
Guardian of the Convent, requesting him to ar
range the funeral services at such a time that he
could be present. He had always been a great
friend and protector of Solanus, therefore his request
was readily granted.

The report of his death had hardly passed beyond
the Convent walls, when the whole city was in com-
motion, stirred as it were, from the very center to
the farthest limits. Young and old, natives and
foreigners, hastened to the Convent and requested
to see the remains of their beloved Father, to kiss
bis hands and feet and carry home some precious
relic. Locks of hair and pieces of his habit were
[jut off, some would touch his venerable body with
their beads or clothing ; the same pleasant odor was
still diffused all around. Towards evening it became

LIFE OF ST. FRANXIS SOLANUS. 97

necessary to exclude the visitors from town, to give
room for the many religious Communities from the
city of Lima. Nearly all of them had known and
honored him as a Saint during the time he had spent
in their city. Now they wished to pay their tribute
of honor and love.

While the remains were exposed the first night in
the chapel of the infirmary, a brilliant light, like a
pillar of fire, appeared above the blessed body, so
bright as to turn night into day. It gradually dis-
appeared, but returned ten or twelve times after-
wards. It was also seen on the night before his
death and on that following his burial.

Our Lord undoubtedly wished to prove by this
miracle, that St. Francis had passed away from this
valley of tears and darkness to that City built on
the mountain, the heavenly Jerusalem. "For they
that are learned in the law of the Lord, i e. in
true wisdom, shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament, and they that instruct many to justice, as
the stars for all eternity. " (Dan. XII.) Two hours
before day break, the Religious were obliged to open
their doors to the crowds eagerly seeking admittance.
The concourse was so great that the Father Guar-
dian was obliged to call in the assistance of a
special police force, to preserve order and prevent
accidents. Persons of all ages and condition
hastened to honor him who had desired only to be
despised and neglected.

On the morning of the 15th of July, the Arch-
bishop of Lima, accompanied by a large body of the

03 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

clergy, came to pay his tribute of respect to Sola-
nus. The viceroy, faithful to his promise, met them
in the Franciscan Convent, and most respectfully
kissed the feet of the Saint, considering himself
unworthy to kiss his hands. He asked as a favor
to take the mattress on which the Saint was then
placed, which was cheerfully granted.

At the commencement of the funeral services, the
Archbishop himself and the Viceroy carried the pre-
cious remains from the Convent to the Church, one
at the foot and the other at the head of the hearse,
while the Superiors of the different religious Orders
helped to bear it as they walked on the opposite
sides. Although the Church was very spacious,
having three aisles, yet the concourse of people al-
ready assembled was so great, that it was almost
impossible to make room for carrying the bier, so
that the body-guard of the Viceroy went in advance
and almost forced a passage. The sacred remains
were placed on a catafalque in the center of the
Church, before the high altar. The music from the
Cathedral choir at once began to peal forth, having
offered their services for the solemn occasion.
Father Johannes Venido, Commissary of the Fran-
ciscan Province, celebrated the Requiem Mass. A
full choir of Keligious from the different Communities
of the city sang the plain but solemn chant accom-
panied by instruments of the Orchestra.

The Mass being ended, Father Johannes Sebastia-
nus, Provincial of the Society of Jesus, delivered
the funeral oration, depicting in graphic language

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 99

the wonderful deeds and heroic virtues, the many
miracles and glorious death, of the Saint. When
the services ended, the precious body was placed in
a wooden coffin and deposited beneath the main altar,
which was the common cemetery of the Religious.

CHAPTER XIII.

Miracles Wrought at the Death and Burial of St.
Francis Solanus.

Many miracles were wrought through the interces-
sion of St. Francis at his burial, a few of which we
will note here.

Father Johannes Sodanus and Ludovicus Pacheko
suffered from such severe headache that they feared
serious consequences. The former full of confidence
placed the hand of our Saint upon his head, when
the pains instantly ceased. The latter found relief
from the application of a piece of cloth used by the
Saint.

The son of Johannes de Esquibil, a boy of seven
years, had a malignant fever. At the very moment
when St. Francis expired, the boy exclaimed :
"Take me to Father Solanus and I shall be cured."
They did so, and the boy reverently kissing the
hands and feet of the Saint, went home in perfect
health.

The miracles wrought did not alone relate to

100 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

bodily infirmities ; those afflicted with spiritual
maladies were also cured by means of the Saint.

At this time there lived in Lima a man addicted
to vice and wickedness. Thirty years passed, dur-
ing which he had been the slave of his passions.
When Sol anus was buried, this great sinner was
among the persons assembled, in the Church. As
he entered the sacred edifice, he said to himself : "If
this man is a Saint, he will free me from my wicked
habits and inclinations ;" at the same time recom-
mending himself to the intercession of the Saint,
and even kissed his feet. Suddenly his heart was
moved with contrition, heat once sought the Confes-
sional, and as a true penitent, revealed to the good
fath3r th 3 sad state of his soul by a sincere confes-
sion which was followed by a good life.

A lady in Lima belonging to the nobility, for
twelve years indulged feelings of hatred towards a
man who had reduced her to poverty. The advice
and remonstrances of the priests had failed to change
her sentiments even after the death of the man.
However, inspired, no doubt, by God, she went with
the multitude to pay her tribute of veneration to the
Saint. On approaching the bier, she said to herself:
"How dare I, being guilty of so many sins, attempt
to touch the feel of a Saint?" From this moment
commenced her complete conversion. She begged
the Saint to obtain mercy for her, while she rev-
erently kissed his venerable hand. Her after-life
was in conformity with this happy change.

St. Solanus proved his pewver of working miracles

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 101

not only for the relief and comfort of others, but
also for their punishment. A man named Michael
Gomez had not only no desire to visit the remains
of the Saint, but even indulged thoughts of disre-
spect. The following night he was tormented with
unspeakable sufferings. Knowing well the cause of
this, he went to the Church, to kiss the feet of the
Saint, although very reluctantly ; he returned home
and retired to bed. But there was no sleep for his
eyelids or peace for his troubled conscience, for it
seemed as if the venerable Father Solanus was actu-
ally present and repeating to him several times :
"Thou dust and ashes, why dost thou refrain from
kissing my feet? Be on thy guard ; thou shalt yet
see what will befall the." The next day Gomez
was the picture of misery and remorse. His feet
were crippled, his mouth distorted, while his whole
appearance reminded one of the dead, rather than
the living.

This unfortunate man understood the cause of his
condition. He appealed at once to the Saint for
mercy and protection, and applied some relics to his
body, which gave him much relief. His lameness,
however, continued so that he was oblige 1 to use
crutches for a time, but at length was able to lay
them aside.

These are but a few of the many miracles wrought
by the blessed body of St Solanus ; they will, how-
ever, suffice 1o prove how wonderful is God in his
Saints, and how precious in His sight is the death
of the just.

102 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Portrait of the Saint.

The Viceroy of Peru insisted that a correct por-
trait of the Saint should by all means be obtained.
This intention he made known to the Guardian of
the Convent, who also desired it. The night follow-
ing the burial, arrangements were made so that an
artist could take a true sketch of the Father whom
all mourned. At the hour appointed, the body was
removed from the vault, and the lid of the coffin
raised. No sign of decay could be perceived. His
mouth, eyes, and in fact his whole countenance ap-
peared as on the day of burial. Father Johannes
Vasquez, of the Order of St. Dominic, also relates
that a sweet odor came from the Saint's mouth.
When the artist had obtained a correct likeness, the
body was replaced in its former resting place.

CHAPTER XIV.

General Opinion Regarding the Sanctity of
Solanus.

St. Francis was universally respected and hon-
ored ; all classes of people regarded him as a most
holy man.

When a student attending the Jesuit College at
Montilla, his native city, his companions could not
fail to be influenced by such an exemplary life, fear-
ing to utter an unbecoming expression in his pre-
sence. When engaged in a conversation not likely
to meet his approval, they would say: "Stop,
Solanus is coming. " After entering the Franciscan
Order, this veneration for him seemed to increase.
During his novitiate, the older Fathers were wont
to look upon him as the model of a perfect Religi-
ous. They eagerly sought his society and always
went away edified and encouraged to make still
greater efforts to attain perfection.

The Superiors of his province appointed him
master of novices, besides entrusting him with
several responsible offices. He, however, always
considered himself as the last of all and unworthy
of any charge ; but the more he humbled himself,
the more was he respected and honored, so that
his countrymen finally called him by no other

[103]

104 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

name than that of "the Saint" and ever honored
him as such.

To avoid all these marks of respect, and that he
might have an opportunity to shed his blood for
Christ, he earnestly begged to be sent to the Afri-
can missions ; but his request was not granted.

Soon after a new apostolic field was opened in
the New World. Solanus renewed his petitions,
and this time received a favorable answer. With
deep regret, his Fellow-religious took leave of him,
knowing well the treasure they were losing. During
their voyage to America, the modesty, humility and
sanctity of Solanus, exerted a powerful influence
over those on board the ship, gaining the love and
esteem of all. This blessed influence was specialty
manifested at the shipwreck near Bonaventure. His
courage and unshaken confidence in God were the
means of saving many from death, or prepared them
to die in peace. On that memorable Christmas,
which they were to celebrate on the dreary coast of
South America, when hope had forsaken all hearts,
save that of Solanus, he raised their drooping spirits
by words of hope and comfort, so that all felt they
were indebted to his prayers and fortitude, looking
upon him as their guardian angel.

We may understand how much he was venerated
by the Indians, when we consider that, notwith-
standing the lapse of centuries and the apostasy of
many in Tucuman, his memory is still held in bene-
diction among them. After remaining there many
years, he was recalled to Lima, when several earnest

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 105

petitions were sent to the Commissaries of the Order
for his return. The fame of his wisdom and sanc-
tity far from diminishing, seemed rather to increase
while in Lima. He was the special friend of the
Viceroj's, one of whom considered it a special favor
to serve his Mass at St. Mary's of the Angels.

The Archbishops of the Diocese always paid him
great honor. The Superiors of all religious Commu-
nities as well as their subjects, in fact the entire
population of Lima, considered him worthy of the
honor due a Saint, which is clearly proved by the
almost miraculous conversion that took place when
he so earnestly warned them of the terrible chastise-
ment awaiting them, unless they at once did penance.
He was not only honored during life, but even still
more after death, as we have already seen ; for this
poor friar who begged as a special favor to be buried
in the poorest habit found in the Convent, was
borne to his last resting place by the Archbishop and
Viceroy of the famous city of Lima, accompanied by
the clergy and religious Communities. ''Thus shall
he be honored whom the king hath a mind to honor."
(Esther vi. 9.)

Note.— Father DMacus Alfarez de Pas, a renowned theologian
of the Society of Jesus and a cotemporary of Solanus, writes as
follows:

"Almighty God made known in July of last year (1610) in a won-
derful manner, the great value of poverty. On the 14th of that
month, Father Francis Solanus, died in the Convent of Friar
Minors at the age of sixty. He was a holy priest and a zealous
pre cber of the word of God. He was born in the province of
Baetica, Spain, in th* cty of Montilla. He was justly renowned
for his sanctity, a worthy son of the Seraphic Father Francis, hav-
ing been a member of the Order for forty years. He by no means

l'^6 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

led a tepid life, on the contrary, walked with giant seps and made
rapid progress in the spiritual life. His humility was a ery great,
considering himself as the least and last of all, and, therefore,
despised honors and dignities, being very patient, m^ek and obe-
dient, and so pure and chaste, that words can hardly describe the
peifection to which he carried these virtues.

li I he fire of charity and brotherly loye burnt with ever increasing
ardor, which often ed him to visit the sick, consoling th» m by his
kind and living words. His zeal for the House of God, and his
earnest desire for the salvation of souls, almost consumed him. His
sermons though not modelled on the rules of art and rhetoric, or
according to approved methods of elocution, nevertheless, an
abundant harvest was gathered, many souls being rescued from
their sinful wavs. Folanus loved retirement, and preferred being
alone except when the glory of God requ red it otherwise. His
usual occupation was prayer and meditation on divine things.
Many times was he rapt in ecstasy, bee ming, as it were, wholly
absorbed in God. Being thus otten favored by Hea^ en , he passed
whole nights before the High Altar near his God in the Blessed
Sacrament. There he would sing the sacred canticles, accompa-
nying himself on the violin, and mediate upon divine things. He
had so entirely consecrated Irms -If to our Lord, that he was satis-
fied with the poorest cl »thing and hardly dared eat enough to sup-
port his frail body. He treatcd his body like an enemy, or more
truly, as a fr end, since he preferred to sacrifice it by scourgings,
right watches, fasts and other mortifications, than to preserve it
through too great care and delicacy. In short, his life was noth-
ing less than a very holy and most fruitful existence, a constant,
fervent player, replete with heavenly consolations and inspira-
tions.

"The day after his death, as his body was about to be consigned
to the tomb, persons cf all ages and conditions gathered from far
and near, forming an assembly such as n>ver before had been seen
in the whole kingdom. The old and the young, those who were
bidden and those who were not, came with all haste at the simple re-
port of his death; most of them, to kiss his feet and honor him as a
Saint. The different religious Communities also came, but not in
groups of six or eight, as was the usual custom, but in as great
numbers as possible, not to increase the grandeur and display of
his obsequies, but to fill the hearts of multitudes with a s'ill
greater desire of perfection, i also went with the many who
thronged to the little Convent, and arrived just as they were tak-
ing the precious remains to the Church. The crowd was so great,
that I found it almost impossible to approach near enough to wit-
ness the solemn services, although one of the Brothers did his ut

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 107

most to open a way for me. I must acknowledge that I was greatly
surprised at the ^cene befoie me, seeing th^ most honorable lord,
John de Mendoza, Count of Monteclarns and V croy oi this great
kingdom, with his Grace, the Archbishop of Lima, Bartholomaeus,
cirrving his bier. They were followed by the Superiors of differ-
ent religious Orders, and many others dis inguished for their learn-
ing and high posi ion. Although so unworthy of it, I joined them.
The words of the Royal Prophet suddenly recuned to my mind :
lNim;s honorati sunt, amici tui Deus ; nimis confortatus est princi-
patus eorumj* 'But to me thy friends, O God, are made exceed-
ingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened '
(Ps 138. 17 )

"Notwithstanding the immense throng of people, we finally ar-
rived at the Church. The bier was placed before the High Altar; I
had leisure then to reflect upon that home of blessed Solanus which
his pure and spotless soul had occupied With the devout multitude,
I reverently kissed his hands and feet; they were not rigid or cold,
bat soft, tender and moderately warm, so that I seemed to touch
the body of one who was sb eping, not that of a dead person. Those
who gathered around the bier, were joyous, instead of sorrowful.
They did not feel that he nteded prayer, but rather that he rested
from his labors, therefore, they praised God who is so admirable in
His Saints. No unpleasant odor could be perceived, or trace of
corruption. The presence of death did not cause the usual feeling
of dread and terror, but rather joy of spirit, humility of heart and
unspeakable peace.

4 'When the funeral ceremonies began, the Viceroy ordered that
the rich cushion of his state chair, ornamented with gold and sil-
ver, should be placed under the head of Solanus, in exchange for
the poor, rough pi'low which was removed to his seat and left
there during the services. By this act, it seemed to me, the Vice-
roy proved his royal dignity more fully while sitting on the straw
pillow, than when using his rich cushion. The latter made him
appear as the legate of an earthly prince, while the former as a
pious. Christian ruler and a true servant of Christ. When the
prayers, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the funeral oration
were ended, they deposited the precious remains of Solanus in the
place prepared. It was, however, with great difficulty, as the reo-
ple pressed around in crowds, to see and kiss his feet, and touch
his body with their rosaries and c'oths, even cutting offportions of
hi 8 habit. At length the body-guard of the Viceroy restored order,
and the remains of the venerable servant of God were placed in a
plain wooden coffin. The next night it was taken cut, so that a
skillful artist could take a true likeness of the Saint. This painter
told me, that Solanus seemed like a person sleeping peacefully , at

108 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SQLANUS.

the same time emitting a pleasant odor as if his body had been
embalmed with precious spices.

1 'His soul is now glorified with our Lord, his body is preserved by
his Fellow-religious wiih great respect, while his memory, as we
truly hope, will be held in perpetual benediction."

Thus far Father Didacus Alfarez de Pas, of the Society of Jesus.

CHAPTER XV,

Miracles Wrought Through the Intercession of St.
JSola7ius after his Death.

Before giving the process of Beatification and
Canonization of St. Solanus, we will enumerate
some of the many miracles wrought through his
intercession.

CURE OF BODILY INFIRMITIES.

A young girl of twelve years, named Agnes,
had been afflicted with epilepsy since her third year.
Medicines seemed of no use. At length her father
had recourse to Solanus. He tied a small piece of
the habit of our Saint around his child's neck. From
that day she was entirely free from her former at-
tacks of illness.

When the parish priest of the Cathedral at Lima
was taking his dinner on the first Sunday in July,
1649, a piece of meat was caught in his throat,
and all efforts of the best physicians failed to remove
it ; there seemed no chance that he could live. At

LIFE OF ST. FRANXIS SOLANUS. 109

this critical moment, the suffering Father invoked
the aid of Solanus, his friend and benefactor, for
whose canonization he was then earnestly laboring,
saying: "My Father, if, as I believe, thou art a
Saint and lovest me, please ask of God relief from
my present distress." The prayer was hardly ended,
when the piece of meat easily passed down the
priest's throat. Blood flowed abundantly, but in
the afternoon he was able to attend the services at
the Cathedral.

THE DEAD ARE RAISED TO LIFE.

As the Bolandists relate, ten dead persons were
restored to life through the intercession of Salanus.
We will mention the circumstances connected with
only two of them. At some distance from Lima, a
child named Nicholas was seriously ill with fever ;
signs of death appeared, his father and friends felt
that nothing could save the child. At this moment,
the former remembered Solanus and his power of
working miracles. Therefore, full of confidence,
he appealed to him, saying: "O blessed Father
Francis, give me back my son alive, I will never be
ungrateful to thee for this favor ; I promise to make
a novena at thy tomb and will always render thee
special devotion." The prayer was scarcely ended,
when the boy opened his eyes, his countenance re-
gained its natural color and the fever left him. All
who had witnessed this miracle were convinced that
the child had not only been restored to life, but
also to perfect health.

;10 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

In November, 1639, a daughter of Anthony Dias,
five years old, met with an accident by which one
of her eyes was nearly torn from its socket, and
her skull fractured. The parents hastened to their
child, but could only take to their arms a lifeless
corpse. Having given vent to their tears and
lamentations and prepared for the burial, the
mother's eyes chanced to rest upon a picture of
Solanus, hanging above the child's bed. She at
once fell on her knees, then full of faith and con-
fidence asked our Lord, through the intercession of
Solanus, to restore her beloved one to life ; she
quickly applied some of the oil, burning before the
tomb of the Saint, to the child's face, and immedi-
ately the injured eye was restored to its socket, and
the broken skull completely healed. The child ex-
claimed : "Jesus is with me." A blue spot under the
eye was the only sign that marked the injury.

MTRACLES RELATING TO THE SOUL.

In 1630, John Francis de Valladolid said Mass
in the Chapel of the Saint. A lady Juliana, being
present, prayed most earnestly for her husband then
absent on a journey. At the elevation of the Sac-
red Host, she heard a voice that seemed to come
from the Saints sepulcher, saying : " Patience." She
then made a firm resolution to be always resigned
to the will of God. Three days later she received
with great fortitude the news of her husband's death,
and ever after remained perfectly resigned to the
dispensations of God's providence. Another ex-

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. HI

ample will show the great power of Solanus : A
young man, aged about twenty years, gave himself
up to a life of shameful wickedness. He was at
length sent to the Penitentiary. When every offort
to effect his conversion proved unavailing, his poor
mother had recourse to St. Francis. She had sev-
eral Masses offered at his tomb. Her confidence
was rewarded by the perfect conversion of her child,
who was afterwards a most dutiful and affectionate
son, providing for the wants of his mother and sisters.

OTHER MIRACLES.

Solanus was not unmindful of the temporal nec-
cessities of those in trouble. A fire broke out in
the woods of the Guambacho valley ; near by were
large fields of sugar cane, just ready to be cut. The
flames spread in all directions, threatening every
thing with destruction. The parish priest, with stole
and holy water, tried to quench the raging elements,
but without success. In this emergencjr, Captain
Anthony Alvaredo, who was present, remembered
that he had two pieces of St. Solanus* habit ; he
handed them to Martin de Orega, the priest, who
cast them into the flames, which at once abated and
were soon extinguished. Four other cases are on
record where fires were quenched in a similar manner.

CHAPTER XVI.

Beatification and Canonization.*

Since many miracles were wrought at the tomb of
Francis Solanus, as well as elsewhere, through his
intercession, those who were entrusted with prepar-
ing the acts of hi3 beatification, were requested by
the Archbishop of Lima, and his suffragan Bishops,
to collect all reliable information concerning his
virtues, deeds, miracles, in short, his whole life.
The years 1610-'ll and '12 were spent in these
labors.

The acts thus collected, included the testimonies
of three hundred and four witnesses. The greatest-
part of this evidence was obtained from persons
holding the highest dignities in Church and State,
as well as from Religious highly esteemed for their
piety and learning. All agree as to his undoubted
sanctity and as being most worthy of veneration for
the miracles he had wrought. These documents
were sent to Rome, and by Benignus a Genua,
Minister General of the Franciscan Order, presented
to the Congregation of Rites, by whom they were
subjected to a most rigid examination.f A copy
of these papers was presented to Philip III. with

♦From J. Schroeder, Priest of the Diocese of Paderborn. Life
of St. Francis Solanus.

fThe Congregation of Rites was established at Rome, by Sixtus
V. , their duties required them to prepare the acts of beatification
and canonization.

[112]

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 113

the request to use his influence with Paul V. to ad-
mit Solanus in the catalogue of Saints. The king
promised to do so, and at once gave orders to that
effect to his minister in Rome.

However, nothing was done during the reign of
Paul V., and Gregory XV. (1621-1623) . Pope Urban
VIII. (1623-1644) resumed this important affair,
Feb. 1st, 1625, and issued a Circular, or Brief to the
Archbishop of Lima, in nearly these words : <;As
the rules and regulations of the Church given in 1612
have, in general, been complied with, the Archbishop,
two of his prelates and some other gentlemen of his
diocese will please collect, most carefully, reliable
information regarding the life, deeds and miracles of
the holy man of God." The Archbishop of Lima,
Don Gonsalvi de Campo, having died in the mean-
time, the papal instructions were delivered to the
Dean and Archdeacon of the Cathedral. The pub-
lication of them was, however, delayed until Septu-
agesima Sunday, 1628, three years after their issue
in Rome. Great preparations were made for this
event. The city authorities had given orders that
on the Saturday previous the various city bands
should meet at the City Hall, at the Plaza Major,
at 10 a. m., and thence march through the principal
streets of the metropolis. At noon the Cathedral
bells were rung, followed by the other church bells
of the city. Between- these chimes, choral airs
pealed from the church towers. In the evening
the whole city was most brilliantly illuminated. ,
The next morning a stately procession solemnly

114 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SCLANUS.

marched from the Cathedral to the Hall of the
Chapter.

In the principal room, a beautiful picture of St.
Solanus was exposed to view. Before this was a
little altar on which had been placed a silver urn,
containing the Papal rescripts. Here, Don Domi-
nicus de Almeida, Dean of the Chapter, received from
the Commissary General of the Franciscan Order in
the Peruvian Empire, these rescripts which he respect-
fully kissed, and then presented to the parish priest
of the Cathedral who carried them in procession to
the Dome. While it was passing through the streets,
the bells of the churches pealed forth their joyous
anthems, and the Te Deum was chanted, accom-
panied by bands of music.

When the procession arrived at the Cathedral,
the rescript was placed on an altar covered with
rich embroidery. Solemn High Mass then commen-
ced. Before the Offertory, Didacus Morales, a
member of the Cathedral chapter, received the rolls
containing the documents sent from Rome, handed
him by the deacon of the Cathedral. He ascended
the pulpit and read aloud to the people the Papal
Briefs, and at the close, the order of the Papal Com-
missary, whereby every person, no matter of what
rank or condition, was commanded to make known
whatever he knew of the life, deeds, miracles, &c, of
Francis Solanus. High MaS% was then continued .
According to Spanish customs, the afternoon was
spent in festivities and general rejoicings.
In 1630 Ferdinand Arias de Ugarte was appointed

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 115

to the Archiepiscopal See of Lima. This prelate
faithfully executed the orders of Urban VIII. The
next year the examinations were closed. Accord-
ing to Johann George de Werndle (an old biogra-
pher of 1676) they contained the testimonies of
eight hundred witnesses, a copy of which signed and
securely sealed was given to Father Ildephonsus, of
the Order of St. Francis, who was obliged to de-
liver them to the Congregation of Rites in Rome.

In May, 1631, he went from Lima to Spain.
There King Philip IV., and his royal consort, Isa-
bella, with many of the nobility, gave him letters to
Urban VIII., entreating his Holiness to canonize
Solanus at once, dispensing with the injunction
which did not permit inquiry into the virtues and
miracles of one who had died in the odor of sanctity
to be commenced until fifty years after the person's
death. The king promised three thousand ducats
to defray the necessary expenses.

What Father Ildephonsus and his successors ac-
complished in Rome, we may gather from a memo-
rial presented in 1642 to Father Joseph Maldonad,
Commissary General of the West Indies, which
reads as follows : ^Father Ildephonsus arrived in
Rome, Nov 7th, 1632, and presented a memorial of
2114 pages, containing the life of the servant of
God, Francis Solanus. But as fifty years had not
yet elapsed since the death of that servant of God,
Father Ildephonsus endeavored to obtain a dispen-
sation. Wise and learned Cardinals were consulted
as to the possibility of granting this request, and at

116 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

length concluded to leave the decision of the matter
to his Holiness.

Father Jerome Serrano, the successor of Father
Ildephonsus, tried every possible means to obtain
the desired favor, but received little encouragement.

However, Father Bonaventure de Salinas, aided
by his Majesty, the king of Spain, at length obtained
a reply from his Holiness to the effect that he would
soon rejoice the New World — America — by canon-
izing Franciscus Solanus. Nevertheless, at Rome,
it was not considered advisable in this case to dis-
pense with the decree of Pope Urban VIII. There-
fore, it was not until 1660 that the examination for
canonizing Solanus could be resumed.

First there was question whether public homage had
at any time been given him, since this was contrary
to the Church canons. Satisfactory proof to the
contrary being given, Clement IX , (1667-'69) then
permitted the examiners to proceed with the cause,
ascertaining the correctness of the testimony already
given regarding the life, sanctity, virtues and mir-
acles of the servant of God. The Congregation of
Rites decided Dec. 10th, 1667, and having approved
the testimony given, permitted the cause to be con-
tinued. After the usual delays and appeals, the
following document of Beatification was published :

u Clement X in perpetual memory of the event:

"Our Divine Leader and Master, Jesus Christ,
who sitteth at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
rewards in heaven, with the crown of eternal glory,

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 117

those of His soldiers, who have here on earth, in an
heroic degree, carried on His warfare, whilst aided
by divine assistance and through the spirit subduing
the works of the flesh, have not only rendered them-
selves as a sacrifice of sweet odor to God, but have
also acquired merits for themselves by the victories
gained over their evil inclinations, and by leading
those who know not God, to the knowledge of truth.

"In like manner, we also, although so undeserving,
are here on earth, the Vicar of our Master, endeavor-
ing, as far as our frailty permits, to follow in His foot-
steps, and promote the love and veneration of these
men on earth, since we have known from our Lord,
that it will redound to the honor of the divine Maj-
esty, to the defense of the church, to the edification
of the faithful and to the salvation of souls.

"There has been gathered by our venerable breth-
ren, the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, who
constitute the Congregation of Rites, a collection of
acts, which has been drawn up with the permission
of the Apostolic Chair, concerning the sanctity of
life which they have maturely and carefully discus-
sed and considered, and it has now sufficiently
appeared that the servant of God, Franciscus Sol-
anus, from the Order of St. Francis, called Friars
Minor of the Observance, has in many ways been
conspicious for his divine and moral virtues, as
also for miracles which have been wrought, as asser-
ted, by God through his intercession, in order to
manifest his sanctity to the world. This same Con-
gregation of Cardinals being assembled in our

118 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

presence, and having heard the eonsultors, agreed
that at any time when it seemed proper to Us, we
could with safety proceed to canonize this servant
of God, but that at present, he be called Blessed in
the whole world. We have, therefore, willingly
listened to the pious and earnest requests, which
have been respectfully presented to Us, concern-
ing these things, from our beloved son in Christ,
Charles, king of the two Spanish Kingdoms, from his
mother, Mar}r Ann, our beloved daughter in Christ,
widow of his late Catholic majesty, and also queen
of the two Kingdoms, and from the whole Order
already mentioned. By the advice, in perfect
agreement, and in unison with said Cardinals, we
do permit, in virtue of the Apostolic powers vested
in Us, that said servant of God, Franciscus Solanus,
be henceforth called Blessed ; that his body and
his relics be exposed to the veneration of the faith-
ful, but shall, however, not be carried in procession ;
that a halo shall surround his picture, and that, an-
nually, on the first free day after his blessed death,
the Office and Mass be taken from that of the Con-
fessors who are not bishops, according to the rules
of the Roman Breviary and Missal. Furthermore,
we permit that this Office and Mass be com-
memorated in the following places, namely: in
the city of Montilla, where the servant of God
was born ; in the city of Lima, where he died,
and where his body rests ; and in the Tucuman
Province where he sowed so plentifully the seeds of
Catholic doctrine ; and in fine, by all the secular as

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOL ANUS. 119

well as regular clergy and faithful of both sexes,
who are obliged to recite the canonical hours ;
but still more by the brothers and sisters of the
whole said Order to use this Office, and by the
priests to celebrate this Mass, especially by those
priests who celebrate in the churches of the
said Order. Moreover, within a year from the
issue of these letters, and in the Indies, from
the day of their arrival, we grant faculties in
the churches of the above mentioned cities, of
the Province, and the whole Order ; that the sol-
emn Beatification of this same servant of God,
be celebrated, with the proper Office, as in the
Breviary and the Holy Mass as a feast of the
major double, and this be done, alike on a day
to be appointed by the respective ordinaries
which will be announced within thirty days, yet
after this very solemnity has taken place in the
principal Church of the Prince of the Apostles in
our City, for which we appoint the 30th of next June.

Given in Eome, at St. Mary's Maggiore under
the ring of the fisherman, this 25th of January,
1675, in the fifth year of our Pontificate."

According to the words of this Brief, his native
city of Montilla, was permitted to celebrate the
Feast of our Saint. Papal letters, dated Dec. 18,
1675, however, extended it to the entire Andalu-
sian Province.

CANONIZATION.

In the beatification of a person, it is only per
mitted to honor and invoke him in certain countries,

120 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

and on certain conditions. This beatification is
generally, though not always, followed by the
canonization. It is never done unless after the
beatification, at least two miracles have been per-
formed through the intercession of the person.

After the lapse of some years, Father Franciscus
Eosselon presented a petition to his Holiness,
Alexander VIII., requesting the canonization of
Blessed Francis Solanus. It was referred to the
Congregation of Rites. Cardinal Chisi presented
a report relating to the petition, 1688, stating that
the Congregation could proceed to make the cus-
tomary objections and examination regarding the
miracles wrought through the intercession of Solanus
after his beatification. Having obtained the Pope's
permission, the examination of the acts commenced
which had been printed in Rome, in 1692. Twenty-
five miracles were reported to have been wrought
in Montilla alone, and seven elsewhere.

We have space for but a few of them.

1.

Mary of Aquilar occupied the same room at
night with her young daughter and nephew. They
were suddenly startled by a loud noise as if the house
was falling. It was their custom to have a lamp
always burning before the picture of Solanus, to
him they had immediate recourse in their dan-
ger, and God heard their prayers. That portion of
the house in which they slept, alone remained
standing ; the rest was crushed into fragments.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOL ANUS. 121

2.

Franciscus Antoninus Perez, a priest, was very
ill with malignant fever, and almost at the point
of death. His brother Ludovicus Perez, also a
priest, said a Mass for his recovery at the altar
of Blessed Francis. From the Offer tor y until the
end, Louis was filled with peace and consolation.
Having finished the Mass and his thanksgiving,
he hastened to his brother, whom he found free
from fever, and in a few days became entirely well.

3.

Maria Ruiz, seventy years of age, was unable to
move, eat or drink without help, on account of the
contraction of her hands and feet. Physicians
having tried every remedy without success, de^
clared her incurable. But she had full confidence
in Blessed Francis, and vowed as soon as she was
able, to visit a Chapel erected in his honor. Her
illness having somewhat abated, the old lady drag-
ged herself, as best she could, to the Chapel ; the
visit was repeated the next day, when she found her
hands and feet moved more readily than before.
On the third day, she still used her crutches, but
without help from others, her daughter alone ac-
companied her. On arriving at the Chapel, she
declared most confidently that she would not return
home without being perfectly restored to health,
and able to walk without crutches. Nine times
she walked around the Chapel and altar of the
Blessed Francis, then returned home completely

122 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

cured. In token and confirmation of this mir-
acle she raised her crutches very high, so that all
could see them. — These and many other miracles,
wrought after the beatification of Solanus, and
through his intercession, stood the test of the most
rigid examination before the Congregation of Rites,
and were fully ratified by its members ; neverthe-
less his canonization was deferred. The Church is
always very deliberate in such matters — mention is
again made of it, in an assembly of the Congrega-
tion of Rites, held in presence of Clement XI.,
in 1712; again under Pope Innocent XI., 1723,
who directs that the miracles in question should
once more be subjected to a rigid examina-
tion. July 9th, 1726, Pope Benedict XIII., de-
clared that the sanctity of Francis, the servant
of God, could not be doubted. The solemn pro-
mulgation of the decree was, however, deferred,
while the assistance of the Holy Ghost was in-
voked.

On July 14th, three miracles were pronounced
as beyond all doubt, and could not be denied.

1. The instantaneous cure of Johanna de Blanca,
seriously affected by a cancer.

2. The delivery of the city of Hon til) a from
pestilence.

3. The sudden cure of Francisca Victoria of
pestilence and malignant fever.

His holiness, therefore, declared that it was per-
fectly right and safe to proceed at once to the
canonization of Blessed Francis. On Dec. 27, 1726,

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 123

the following Apostolic Brief was issued concern-
ing the cause in hand :

" Benedict, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of
God, in perpetual Memory of the Event :

" Since we must honor our Lord Jesus Christ in
His Saints, we are inclined and favorably disposed
to augment the glory here on earth of the true ser-
vants of God, so that through their bright examples,
the honor of God be everywhere increased, and the
lukewarm excited to works of true piety. And
since we have received the life and virtues of the
blessed servant of God, Francis Solanus, of the
Order of Minors of the Regular Observance, who
became illustrious through the excellence of Chris-
tian virtues, as well as through many miracles
wrought by him, we believe we shall do great ser-
vice to the people eutrusted to our pastoral care, by
solemnly enrolling him in the catalogue of confessors,
who are not Bishops, according to the canons of
the Roman Church, on this day, dedicated to the
honor of St. John the Evangelist.

" 1. On the 10th of March, 1549, Francis
Solanus, the martyr of desire, was born in
Montilla, a city of Andalusia, in the diocese of
Cordova, already renowned for the many martyrs
it has given to our Lord. He was a son of
noble and pious parents, who conscientiously
brought him up in the fear of God, and in those
virtues that adorn the true Christian. Being him-
self fully animated with these sentiments, he was
received as a member of the Community of Friars

124 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Minor of the Regular Observance. He there be-
came illustrious for his many virtues, his constant
practise of more exact discipline than even the
Order required, and for his truly Christian humility.
His days and nights were passed in works of piety
and the most severe mortification, nay, he even
imitated the examples of those holy Fathers, Bene-
dict and Francis, who threw themselves upon
sharp thorns, in order the more completely to over-
come their sensuality.

" While his wonderful life bears repeated witness
to these and many other noble and virtuous quali-
ties of mind and heart, he has also by his preachings
which were animated with burning love, and other
eminent virtues, converted many souls to God, and
thus obtained the title of Saint. Among many
other instances, his great power with God was
manifested in the cure of a boy, entirely covered
with sores, by merely kissing his wounds after re-
moving the bandages.

u 2. Again the Saint showed his great charity dur-
ing the prevalence of a malignant pestilence that
raged in Andalusia. He visited those afflicted with
the plague, and deprived of bodily or spiritual com-
forts, relieving their maladies. He was deterred by
no fear of disease or death ; devoting himself un-
remittingly to the care of the sufferers. When him-
self attacked by the fatal disease, he was delivered
by the hands of God, after which he devoted him-
self more courageously than ever to the care of the
sick, until the ravages of the pestilence had ceased.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 125

"3. While the praise of this saintly man was
spread abroad by every one, he endeavored in every
way to escape the honors awaiting him, so great
was his humility. He sought no other honor than
that of God. Most ardently did he desire to suffer
martyrdom for Christ, humbly entreating his supe-
riors to be allowed to go to Africa, that he might
there preach the word of God. Although this
request was not granted, they at length allowed him
to embark with other missionaries, to announce the
Gospel to the Indians in remote lands.

"Since the salvation of souls was the dearest object
of his devoted zeal, he cheerfully endured the
greatest perils on, both, land and sea, continually
working miracles as he journeyed with his compan-
ions to the vineyard entrusted to him by our Lord.
And having once rescued the tender lambs and
sheep from the mouth of the wolves, in order to
preserve them for the Great Shepherd of Souls, he
braved all dangers and difficulties while watching
over them with the greatest care.

"As he always considered the miseries of others as
his own, and love for God and his neighbor con-
tinually burned in his heart, having learned, by
Divine assistance, all the languages of the various
tribes, he prevailed, with the help of Divine grace,
upon the barbarians to lay aside their rude and
savage customs, after which they voluntary came to
Solanus, entreating him to instruct them. In this
way he led countless multitudes through the sa- ,
cred water of baptism to a new and better life.

126 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Being held by them in the greatest veneration, he
easily gained their consent to his wishes, which
others could not have done except by threats or
punishment. The effect of his presence and the
power of his simple eloquence over the Indians
may be inferred from the following occurrence :

The savages had planned a bloody massacre of
the Christians just as they were celebrating the
sacred mysteries of our Lord's Passion on Holy
Thursday. Solanus appeared among them and so
earnestly pleaded for his people, that their cruel
weapons were laid aside ; not ouly was peace res-
tored, but nine thousand were converted to the
Christian faith. The great wonder of this miracle
was still more increased from the fact, that although
the barbarians spoke different languages, yet Sola-
nus addressed them in but one dialect, and was
distinctly understood by all. The fame of Francis
having widely spread abroad, being often increased
by the wonderful miracles wrought, he endeav-
ored to escape all the honors shown him, by retir-
ing into solitude, being withdrawn therefrom only
by the voice of obedience, when he was sent lo
Lima, the capital of Peru, where he stirred up the
people to penance, threatening them, like another
Jonas, with fearful calamities, if they continued in
their wickedness. But they hearkened to his voice
and truly repented of their sins.

"4. The great labors Solanus had undergone for
God's honor, complete!}7 ruined his health. At
length, knowing that his end approached, he ear-

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 127

nestly desired to be strengthened by the Sacraments
of the Church. On July 14, 1610, he yielded up
his spirit to God who gave it, folding his arms in
the form of a cross and responding to the prayers,
with his eyes continually fixed upon the crucifix.
This holy death took place in the Monastery of the
Holy Name of Jesus, in Lima, on the feast of St.
Bonaventure, under whose protection he had long
before placed himself. When the soul of Francis
had passed from earth to heaven, his sacred body,
before rough and sun-burned, became white and
beautiful, as if the glory of heaven rested upon it ;
and gave forth sweet odors. Crowds of people
flocked from all directions to venerate these sacred
remains, each one trying to obtain portions of his
garments and preserve them as relics.

"The virtues and miracles of Solanus having been
fully proved and admired, then ratified by the Holy
Apostolic See, our predecessor Clement X. of happy
memoiy, has, after the usual solemnities of the
Holy Roman Church, enrolled this Franciscus
Solanus in the catalogue of the Blessed, January
25, in the year of our Lord 1675.

u5. Afterwards, our venerable brethren, the Car-
dinals of the Holy Roman Church, have in accord-
ance with the Canons, presented a number of
miracles, wrought after his beatification, and they
have also in our presence, and in three full consis-
tories of our brethren, the venerable Cardinals of the
Holy Roman Church, as also of the patriarchs, arch-
bishops and bishops present in Rome, been legally

128 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

discussed. We have received their unanimous
opinion through the notaries of the Apostolic See,
We have also received from Christian kings and
princes, and from the whole Order of Friars Minor
urgent petitions that we would admit blessed Fran-
cis Solanus into the catalogue of Holy Confessors,
who are not bishops.

4 'Hence the solemn day has been appointed to carry
out this great work, and by prayers, fasts and
alms-deeds the assistance of Almighty God has been
most earnestly invoked. And finally, when every-
thing had been conscientiously carried out according
to the decrees of our predecessors, the Roman
Pontiffs, and according to the Canons of the Holy
Eoman Church, We, with our venerable brethren,
the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, the patri-
archs, archbishops, bishops, priests, secular and
regular, as also a great number of people, assembled
on this day, which is consecrated to God in honor
of St, John the Apostle and Evangelist, in this
venerable Church of the Prince of the Apostles,
most humbly to invoke the blessing of Almighty
God.

"Here Laurentius Corsini, our venerable brother
of the Holy Roman Church and Cardinal-Bishop of
Tusculum, has for the first, second and third time
repeated the r quest that we should admit the
servant of God, Franciscus Solanus, into the
catalogue of Holy Confessors. Having, therefore,
devoutly recited the appointed prayers, and humbly
invoked the light of the Holy Ghost, therefore, in

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS. 129

honor of the holy and undivided Trinity, in exalta-
tion of the Catholic Faith, for the propagation of
the Christian name, in the power of Almighty God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, of the holy
Apostles, Peter and Paul, and by the power vested
in Us, according to the counsel and unanimous deci-
sion of these our venerable brethren, the Cardinals
of the Holy Roman Church, the patriarchs, arch-
bishops, bishops, who were assembled in great
numbers with Us at the Vatican Basilica, We have
definitely declared "Holy" Blessed Francis Solanus,
by birth a Spaniard, of the Order of Friars Minor of
the Regular Observance, of whose sanctity, purity of
faith, and excellence in other virtues, as well as the
miracles he has wrought there was, and is at present,
no doubt, with those already declared Blessed, the
Confessors, but not Bishops, Peregrinus Latiosus a
Foro Livii, of the Order of the Servants of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, and John of the Cross, of the
Order of the Discalceates of the Blessed Virgin
Mary of Mount Carmel. We have appointed and
decided, and by these presents appoint, decide and
certify that he be added to the catalogue of Holy
Confessors, who are not bishops. We have given
orders and now repeat them, that he be honored by
all the faithful as a real Saint, since we ordain that
in the Catholic Church there may be erected churches
and altars in his honor, on which the unbloody Sac-
rifice can be offered to God. That every year, the
14th July, the day on which he ascended to his
heavenly home, be observed as a feast like that of a

130 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Confessor, who is not a Bishop, and that it be
solemnly celebrated.

"6. By the same authority We have, and do grant,
through the mercy of our Lord, an indulgence of
one year and one quarantine, to all the faithful,
who with contrite hearts confess their sins on the
anniversary of his feast, and venerate his holy relics.
Those who do the same on the octave thereof, may
gain an indulgence of forty days, for penance
imposed, or in any way to be performed.

u7. Finally, we return thanks to Almighty God
for having honored His Church by this illustrious
and shining light, and have recited solemn prayers
in honor of St. Francis Solanus, St. P^re^rinus
Latiosus, and St. John of the Cross. At the High
Altar over the relics of the Prince of the Apotles,
we have offered the most holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
in which this very Confessor and the others above
mentioned, have been commemorated ; and we have
granted to all the faithful who were present a plen-
ary indulgence.*

"8. Moreover, it behooves us, for such special
favors to honor, praise and glorify God the Father,
from whom all good proceeds, and to whom honor
and praise are forever due ; and that we render this
homage most devoutly and earnestly, beseeching
Him, through the intercession of His chosen servant,
Francis Solanus, to turn away His indignation from
us on account of our sins and show us mercy. That

*On the usual conditions.

LIFE OF ST. FRANXIS SOLANUS. 131

He would impart the fear of His holy name to the
nations that know Him not, that they may at length
understand there is no other God but our God.

u9. Finally, as it would be difficult to send this
our Brief to all places where it should be known ;
therefore, it is our will that copies of it be made,
signed by a notary public, and sealed with the seal
of any person in the ecclesiastical authority, and that
it be everywhere acknowledged in the same manner
as these presents if exhibited in public.

" 1 0 . It shall not be permitted for any person who-
soever to contradict the tenor of this our declara-
tion, decree, adscription, relation, command, statute,
indulgence and will, or to rashly oppose it.

"But if any one have the presumption to do so, let
him known that he incurs thereby the indignation of
Almighty God, and His blessed Apostles St. Peter
and Paul.

"Given in Rome at St. Peter's in the year of the
incarnation of our Lord 1726, on the 27th of Decem-
ber, the third year of our Pontificate.

^ I, Benedict,
Bishop of the Catholic Church.

[The signatures of thirty-two Cardinals are added
to the above.']

132 LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS.

Note : — His feast is now celebrated on the 24th
of July.

Antiphon: This man, despising the world, and
triumphing over earthly things hath laid up treasures
in heaven by word and deed.

P. Pray for us, 0 blessed Francis,

B. That we may, etc.

LET US PRAY.

Oh! God, who through blessed Francis didst
bring into the bosom of the Church many nations of
America ; by his merits and prayers turn away Thy
wrath from our sins, and mercifully extend the fear
of Thy name to the nations that have not known
Thee3 through Christ our Lord. — Amen.

Finis.

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